Museum, Farmer’s House re-opened

Dec 29, 2009

KAMPALA City Council (KCC) has re-opened the Uganda Museum and the Farmer’s House, which were closed over non-payment of property tax.

By Taddeo Bwambale

KAMPALA City Council (KCC) has re-opened the Uganda Museum and the Farmer’s House, which were closed over non-payment of property tax.

KCC closed the Museum on December 15 due to non-payment of over sh9m property tax, while Farmer’s House had not paid over sh200m tax arrears.

It was the second time KCC closed the two premises over arrears.

On December 16, the secretary in the Office of the President, Tecla Kinalwa, requested that the two facilities be re-opened because they were government institutions, which are exempt from paying ground rent.

“Farmer’s House is the Property of the Government. Government ministries and departments have not been paying ground rent for government-owned buildings unless there has been change in policy,” Kinalwa stated.

Property tax is paid for development on the land, while ground rent is paid on the piece of land.

Farmer’s House is home to the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, the Public Service Commission, the Education Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission.

KCC spokesperson Simon Muhumuza yesterday said the two facilities were re-opened following discussions with the stakeholders, in which a commitment was made to pay the property tax arrears.

The museum is holding a climate change exhibition to sensitise people about using environmentally-friendly appliances.

The products on display include solar-powered cookers, solar phone chargers, in-built energy saving lanterns, torches, solar water heaters and wind-powered domestic electrical equipment.

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