MPs contribute sh150m for Kasubi tombs

By Moses Walubiri

The drive by Buganda Katikkiro (premier) to raise funds for the restoration of Kasubi tombs has gained steam with MPs across the usually fractious political divide contributing over sh153m.

The precincts of parliament had a merry atmosphere Tuesday morning with Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga leading a delegation from Mengo in what has turned out to be an historical event – the first ever visit by a Buganda Katikkiro to parliament.

Before settling down to the nitty-gritty of his visit, Mayiga paid courtesy calls to Leader of Opposition, Nandala Mafabi, Government Chief Whip, Kasule Lumumba and Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga delivering a message of political tolerance.
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Katikkiro Mayiga in a group photo with MPs. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa

In his interface with Kasule and Kadaga, Mayiga cautioned NRM legislators against temptations to use their majority in the ninth parliament to enact laws “that oppress the minority.”

“These laws might haunt you ounce you’re out of power,” Mayiga said, advising those carrying out patriotism courses to “be just and truthful.”

“If I were the one conducting patriotism lessons, this is what I would do,” Mayiga said.

Lumumba, addressing the Mengo delegation in Luganda, called for traditional institutions and religious leaders to always endeavor to unite warring politicians instead of letting their differences to degenerate into a media Ping-Pong.
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Katikkiro Mayiga receives a cheque dammy from Kadaga. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa

In his interface with Kadaga, Mayiga lauded the Kamuli woman MP for being “an inspiration figure” and urging her to use her lofty position to nurture democracy through enacting laws that “stand the test of time.”

NRM caucus contributed sh6m, parliamentary staff sh2.4m while different MPs, especially from Bugunda chipped in with varying figures.

The biggest single contributors were former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya   with USD$10,000 (about sh25m) and Ntugamo Municipality MP, Yona Musinguzi (sh10m).
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Kadaga had earlier extolled MPs for their contribution to the fundraising drive, noting that it was only fair since the institution of parliament had played a role in “extinguishing” monarchs “at the instigation of the government of the time.”

Kasubi tombs were torched down in March 2010, ruining Uganda’s only historical treasure on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.