Buganda kingdom broke - PM
Sep 14, 2008
Buganda Kingdom is facing a financial crisis following the decline in its revenue.
By Eddie Ssejjoba
Buganda Kingdom is facing a financial crisis following the decline in its revenue.
The Katikkiro, Eng. J.B. Walusimbi, on Friday urged the Baganda to support Mengo’s new strategies to boost the kingdom’s financial status.
Walusimbi was meeting Buganda’s agents who sell certificates, which is one of the major sources of the kingdom’s revenueat Bulange in Mengo.
“When we launched the sale of education certificates in 2000, we had targeted shs1b from at least one million buyers in Buganda, but the number has declined from 31,000 in 2005 to 22,000 last year,†he said.
Walusimbi said the kingdom’s treasury had hoped to set up a commercial building in the city using funds accrued from the sale of the certificates, but this had not been possible.
He, however, assured the Baganda that the kingdom would still go by its original plans.
Walusimbi revealed that through the ministry of local government, the kingdom would soon launch cooperative societies in each of the 200 sub-counties in Buganda.
He said the cooperative societies would mobilise people to engage in income generating programmes.
“We also hope to use at least 1,000 members from each society to sell our certificates to raise money,†he said.
He launched a new scheme, where the Baganda would seek for certificates before performing the last funeral rites.
“From today, it will be a taboo for any Muganda to perform the last funeral rites immediately after burial. you will have to go through all the channels and let the Kabaka’s chiefs’ award you a certificate,†he said.
Walusimbi said the move was meant to revive the cultural norms, adding that this would also create another source of revenue for the kingdom.
He commended individuals and companies that had sustained the kingdom’s coffers through buying certificates.
The chairman of the Saza Chiefs, P.K. Ssengendo said: “It is a shame that only 22,000 people were able to buy certificates last year out of the six million people in Buganda.â€
He added that lack of money was also a challenge to Buganda’s quest for a Federo system of governance.
“If each family can buy a certificate at shs3,000, then we shall achieve our target,†he said.
He vowed to mobilise fellow chiefs to educate people on the importance of buying certificates and other economic programmes for Buganda.
The Katikkiro handed over shields and certificates to clans, counties and individuals who excelled in buying certificates.
Buganda Kingdom is facing a financial crisis following the decline in its revenue.
The Katikkiro, Eng. J.B. Walusimbi, on Friday urged the Baganda to support Mengo’s new strategies to boost the kingdom’s financial status.
Walusimbi was meeting Buganda’s agents who sell certificates, which is one of the major sources of the kingdom’s revenueat Bulange in Mengo.
“When we launched the sale of education certificates in 2000, we had targeted shs1b from at least one million buyers in Buganda, but the number has declined from 31,000 in 2005 to 22,000 last year,†he said.
Walusimbi said the kingdom’s treasury had hoped to set up a commercial building in the city using funds accrued from the sale of the certificates, but this had not been possible.
He, however, assured the Baganda that the kingdom would still go by its original plans.
Walusimbi revealed that through the ministry of local government, the kingdom would soon launch cooperative societies in each of the 200 sub-counties in Buganda.
He said the cooperative societies would mobilise people to engage in income generating programmes.
“We also hope to use at least 1,000 members from each society to sell our certificates to raise money,†he said.
He launched a new scheme, where the Baganda would seek for certificates before performing the last funeral rites.
“From today, it will be a taboo for any Muganda to perform the last funeral rites immediately after burial. you will have to go through all the channels and let the Kabaka’s chiefs’ award you a certificate,†he said.
Walusimbi said the move was meant to revive the cultural norms, adding that this would also create another source of revenue for the kingdom.
He commended individuals and companies that had sustained the kingdom’s coffers through buying certificates.
The chairman of the Saza Chiefs, P.K. Ssengendo said: “It is a shame that only 22,000 people were able to buy certificates last year out of the six million people in Buganda.â€
He added that lack of money was also a challenge to Buganda’s quest for a Federo system of governance.
“If each family can buy a certificate at shs3,000, then we shall achieve our target,†he said.
He vowed to mobilise fellow chiefs to educate people on the importance of buying certificates and other economic programmes for Buganda.
The Katikkiro handed over shields and certificates to clans, counties and individuals who excelled in buying certificates.