Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, made a triumphant return to the seat of Buganda kingdom at Mengo today – Tuesday June 30, after receiving up to 80 land titles from President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Entebbe.
Mayiga, was escorted to Entebbe by Prince David Wassajja, Information Minister Denis Walusimbi Ssengendo.
President Museveni handed over an envelope containing a reported 80 titles saying the government decided to return the titles so that the Kingdom can use them for development.
Museveni however expressed concerns that the Mengo administration was forcing people to pay some Ushs100,000 as registration fees to get recognised at settles on Kabaka’s land.
“We decided to give the titles to the Buganda Kingdom Institution so that they may be used for development. I am concerned by reports that Buganda administration was demanding Shs 100,000 as registration fees,” said Museveni.
Katikkiro Mayiga however responded to the president’s concern by saying the idea of paying registration fees is voluntary.
President Museveni expressed satisfaction that it is appropriate if a voluntary arrangement was put in place.
Museveni warned that the culture of misusing cultural institutions for opportunistic purposes should stop.
“We are looking for a strong Uganda and a strong Africa. The NRM Government cannot go against the Kingdoms unless the Kingdoms go against Uganda,” he said. He warned that self-seekers should not be involved in politics.
Katikiro Mayiga saluted President Museveni for returning the properties to Buganda and assured him that the proposal on the land rates was not a commercial one but a voluntary arrangement. He revealed that it is not compulsory but a voluntary exercise for the people who are willing.
Katikiro Mayiga thanked Museveni for his contribution of ettoofali of Ushs 15 million.
Katikkiro Mayiga had scheduled to collect the RollsRoyce car, used by Uganda’s first President Edward Muteesa, but Museveni said the issue of ownership over the vehicle was yet to be resolved.
The car remains parked in the Uganda Museum in Kampala.
The return of the 80 titles, follows the return of over 200 other titles that were returned to Mengo last year. There is public concern however that some of the titles were returned after the government had awarded leases on the properties, rendering their immediate use almost impossible.
