Government Returns ‘Ssaza’ Buildings To Buganda

By Josephine MaserukaPrime minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi has said the Government has agreed to return the traditional ssaza (county) and gombolola (sub-county) headquarters to Kabaka Ronald Mutebi. But a moratorium of three years, beginning 2003, has been given to the respective local governments to vacate or negotiate with the Mengo government the tenancy arrangements.Nsibambi, in a July 9 two-page letter to President Yoweri Museveni said, “The headquarters are to be re-surveyed and especially delineated in such a way that what will be returned will only be headquarter area units themselves and no more.”Nsibambi said, “The work will be carried out by the Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment.” The letter said the decision was reached after a July 5 meeting between Nsibambi, Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi, ministers Philip Byaruhanga, Baguma Isoke, the Solicitor General and several government officials. It was resolved that the headquarters that existed prior to the abolition of kingdoms in 1967 in the Buganda region “are to be returned to the Kabaka.”Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere told the Lukiiko yesterday, amid applause, that the Government had decided to return the 18 ssaza headquarters and some 30 gombolola headquarters in Buganda kingdom.Joseph Balikuddembe, a Kampala lawyer, warned the Lukiiko against getting excited over the matter and demanded the return of the eight miles per county and 48 acres per gombolola as well.Deputy Katikkiro Kaaya Kavuma cautioned the Baganda against harassing tenants on the premises.Ends