Bunyoro King storms Parliament over oil revenue

Jun 01, 2012

The Omukama of Bunyoro- Kitara Kingdom Solomon Gafabusa Iguru yesterday stormed Parliament demanding a standard share of 12.5% of all oil revenue accruing from the respective petroleum wells as royalties payable to the Kingdom.


By Henry Sekanjako


The Omukama of Bunyoro- Kitara Kingdom Solomon Gafabusa Iguru yesterday stormed Parliament demanding a standard share of 12.5% of all oil revenue accruing from the respective petroleum wells as royalties payable to the Kingdom.

Speaking before the Parliament's committee on Natural Resources, Gafabusa Iguru said being the valid trustee of the Bunyoro customary lands and natural resources; he needed a fair share for the kingdom and his subjects to boost development.

Accompanied by the Bunyoro -Kitara Kingdom Katiikiro (Prime minister) Jackson Nsamba Kasozi, Presidential advisor Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutaale among other kingdom officials, Iguru said; "It is standard practice around the world to award trustees 12.5% of revenues raised from natural resources".

However his appearance before the committee raised concern among some Bunyoro MPs who said it was a degrading act for a 'full king' to appear before MPs.

"I did not want my king to come to Parliament, he should be found at his palace" complained Buyaga Mp Barnabas Tinkasiimire.

The committee chaired by Bungokho South MP Michael Werikhe Kafabusa is currently looking at the petroleum exploration development and production bill 2012 and the petroleum refining, gas processing and conversions, transportation and storage bill 2012.

Through his subject Kakooza Mutaale, the Omukama expressed concern that the two petroleum bills are silent about security of his subjects living around the oil wells.

"The Omukama is concerned what security measures have been put in place to protect his subjects because they are a target of attack," Mutale said.

The Kingdom proposed that before allocating any exploration site to oil companies, all stake holders should be directly and indirectly involved.

The Omukama also demanded that thorough consultations be made with the Kingdom before any policies are formulated.

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