Mengo hails govt over sh2b donation
Apr 20, 2009
THE Mengo Lukiiko (Parliament) has lauded President Yoweri Museveni for fulfilling his sh2b pledge to the kingdom for agricultural production.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE Mengo Lukiiko (Parliament) has lauded President Yoweri Museveni for fulfilling his sh2b pledge to the kingdom for agricultural production.
In an extra-ordinary session yesterday, members of the Lukiiko criticised those calling upon the kingdom to reject the money.
The Katikkiro, Eng. J.B Walusimbi, said the money was not a bribe by the Central Government, adding that it would be used to develop people at the grassroots.
“Those speaking against me for accepting this money eat sausages and eggs for breakfast, buffet for lunch, evening tea before supper and sip red wine before going to bed. But our people in the villages sleep on empty stomachs, a mug of porridge at best,†he said.
Walusimbi encouraged the Baganda to work hard.
“People are talking a lot of politics about this money, but there are lots of other monies I have bargained for in order to create opportunities. These people who have just seen money are the ones saying I have been bought by the Government,†he said.
He explained that when he introduced the programme to the Central Government, he asked for sh5b, but was grateful that the kingdom received sh2b.
“Some of us with business acumen have been with our money for a long time. If you do not have money, you should not hang yourself,†he said to applause.
Walusimbi said although he understood politics and politicians, he is more interested in his profession.
A professional engineer who headed the Uganda and East African professional bodies, Walusimbi said he had never worked for the Government.
“If you reach that level, you don’t kneel down for anybody, that is why I wonder when people say I have been bought by the Government. Every post I ever got was because of my papers,†he said.
The Katikkiro said he was working to uplift the kingdom and would not be derailed by trivialities.
Finance minister Syda Bbumba last week handed over copies of the transfer forms to officials from the Buganda, Busoga and Bunyoro kingdoms, saying the money was a pledge by the President.
Buganda received sh350m of the sh2b pledged, while Busoga and Bunyoro each received sh325m of the sh1b pledged.
THE Mengo Lukiiko (Parliament) has lauded President Yoweri Museveni for fulfilling his sh2b pledge to the kingdom for agricultural production.
In an extra-ordinary session yesterday, members of the Lukiiko criticised those calling upon the kingdom to reject the money.
The Katikkiro, Eng. J.B Walusimbi, said the money was not a bribe by the Central Government, adding that it would be used to develop people at the grassroots.
“Those speaking against me for accepting this money eat sausages and eggs for breakfast, buffet for lunch, evening tea before supper and sip red wine before going to bed. But our people in the villages sleep on empty stomachs, a mug of porridge at best,†he said.
Walusimbi encouraged the Baganda to work hard.
“People are talking a lot of politics about this money, but there are lots of other monies I have bargained for in order to create opportunities. These people who have just seen money are the ones saying I have been bought by the Government,†he said.
He explained that when he introduced the programme to the Central Government, he asked for sh5b, but was grateful that the kingdom received sh2b.
“Some of us with business acumen have been with our money for a long time. If you do not have money, you should not hang yourself,†he said to applause.
Walusimbi said although he understood politics and politicians, he is more interested in his profession.
A professional engineer who headed the Uganda and East African professional bodies, Walusimbi said he had never worked for the Government.
“If you reach that level, you don’t kneel down for anybody, that is why I wonder when people say I have been bought by the Government. Every post I ever got was because of my papers,†he said.
The Katikkiro said he was working to uplift the kingdom and would not be derailed by trivialities.
Finance minister Syda Bbumba last week handed over copies of the transfer forms to officials from the Buganda, Busoga and Bunyoro kingdoms, saying the money was a pledge by the President.
Buganda received sh350m of the sh2b pledged, while Busoga and Bunyoro each received sh325m of the sh1b pledged.