Is the regional tier system a raw deal?

Last week, Parliament passed the regional tier system of governance. The amendment was received with mixed reactions from Ugandans. Joshua Kato talked to some people.

Eria Sekatte,
Kampala resident
“Money and taxes equals power. I am not happy that Mengo or regional tiers will not be collecting taxes. I wanted us to get full power to govern ourselves and collect taxes, but with the regional tier system, we will have to report to the central government.”

Buganda Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere
“I thank the Parliament for passing the amendment. The focus is now on districts to approve it. We are happy with the tier arrangement. In negotiations, one should not expect to get 100% of his demands. We got the foundation from which we shall demand more in the future.”


“It is unfortunate that the amendment left out a lot of things Kabaka Ronald Mutebi discussed with President Yoweri Museveni. The 9000 square miles, funding of cultural institutions and the returning of Buganda kingdom assets were all left out. The Kabaka should meet the President again for more discussions on the issue.”

Kizito Sserwanga,
Self employed
“I don’t support it because the powers of the Kabaka were reduced. The Kabaka no longer has the power to choose his katikkiro. He cannot collect and levy taxes. He has no power over the 9,000 square miles, most of which is controlled by the Government. So, we still want Mengo to get more powers.”

Muwanga Lutaaya, Uganda Young Movement
“This is very good news for Buganda and Uganda. I am very happy with the way Parliament passed the amendment. It is a shame to those who have been doubting the Movement Government’s resolve to grant kingdoms federo. We should use this as a foundation for asking for other things.”

Ismail Zogo,
Kampala businessman
“I am not aware of federal. So, I don’t know whether to support or hate it.”

Fred Wamala,
Self employed
“The Baganda have a saying that Nyama ntono, okayana eri munkwawa (Take what you have been given, before you ask for more). It is great getting whatever we have got. Now programmes in Buganda kingdom that are geared at enhancing economic development would spread to every district.”

Wilberforce Kikabi,
Nakawa
“I support the way and manner in which Parliament passed this amendment. I am happy that finally President Museveni is moving towards giving Buganda and other kingdoms what they have been yearning for for so many years. Some people are claiming that this is another hot air system, but we can use it to demand for more.”

Margaret Nakimbugwe, self employed, Owino Market
“I think we should be happy for what the Government has given us. We did not have it about 12 years ago. We should end complaining about what we have not yet got and see how we can utilise what we have got.”

Sarah Namanda,
clothes dealer, Owino Market
“I will only care if I am told that things will get cheaper and that we shall pay less taxes for our goods. If it is going to increase taxes and make goods more expensive, to hell with your federal.”

John Ken Lukyamuzi, MP
“It is a good first step, but I am worried about the position of Mengo. To compensate for the loss of Kampala, since it is no longer part of Buganda, Mengo should have been made a district rather than a municipality. That is why I had brought an amendment to make Mengo a district.”

Simon Sebuliba,
self employed
“We have not got everything we asked for. For instance, the 9,000 square miles and the power to collect taxes. The federo issue should be resolved amicably so that we (Baganda) get all we have yearned for for long.”

Peter Mugisha, Kampala businessman
“That is purely a Baganda issue. I don’t see how it is going to benefit my family.”