Kabaka names team to probe properties

THE Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Mutebi, has set up a royal commission to probe management of the kingdom's assets, including CBS, reports Richard Mutumba. A notice issued by Kabaka's private legal advisor, Andrew Kasirye, yesterday said the commission was instituted as a result of complaints from various sources regarding the management of the kingdom's funds and property. It will report its findings within three months. The former Governor, Bank of Uganda, Mr. Charles Kikonyogo, will chair the probe team. Members include Hajji Faisal Kasujja, Mr. Wadimba, Mr. Samuel Sejakka, Sam Bisase and former Central Bank governor Leo Kibirango as Secretary. Kasirye said the complaints included alleged misappropriations, lack of accountability and transparency and poor book-keeping. There has also been lack of funds for the Kabaka and the Nabagereka to meet their basic requirements and obligations. There have also been disparities between allowances paid to staff doing similar jobs, but in different departments and considerable delays in paying allowances in some departments. Kasirye said given the constitutional constraints that bar direct taxation, and in view of the limited and uncertain flow of funds, there was a very urgent need to review income and relate it to expenditure. Ends.