Relocation of district headquarters divides politicians, cultural leaders

NAKASONGOLA.

The proposed relocation of Nakasongola District headquarters to Sasira Village, about 1.5kms from Nakasongola Town, has attracted resistance from Buruuli cultural leaders who are questioning the motive and timing.
Buruuli leaders raised concerns that once the district vacates the current site, Buganda Kingdom may gain full control of the buildings yet they still have a claim to the same property.
In 2016, leaders from the Buruuli Chiefdom petitioned government through the Ministry of Security over what they alleged was sabotage of their cultural mandate and independence by Buganda Kingdom officials.
The Buruuli officials claimed that Buganda Kingdom had failed to honour an agreement signed between President Museveni and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II in 2013 where it was agreed that all land on which cultural institutions and administrative headquarters are located are property of the cultural institutions occupying the land and property.
In this case, the Buruuli cultural leaders claim that Buganda is still clinging on the land title for land on which the Nakasongola District offices sit.
The buildings under dispute house the offices of the district chairperson and the Resident District Commissioner, among other offices.
The same buildings previously housed the offices of Kabaka’s chief in Buruuli County.
Mr George William Kayikara, an elder from Buruuli Chiefdom, claims that failure by the government to pronounce itself on the status of the land on which the district has already invested resources, poses serious constraints which may affect development of the chiefdom.
Mr Edward Ssekatte, another elder in Buruuli Chiefdom, says relocation of the district offices should be done after making wider consultations among Baruuli n Nakasongola.
“It is not true that we have a sharp disagreement on the planned relocation. The fact is that transferring the district headquarters has an economic bearing on businesses in Buruuli, we need to give room for sensitisation and consultation,” Mr Ssekate notes.
On the other hand, the district leadership supports the proposed relocation, citing the unfavourable conditions under which district staff operate including lack of a land title for the premises.
However, the Nakasongola District Chairperson, Mr Samuel Kigula, expresses fear over the unresolved property dispute between Buganda and Buruuli, saying it will frustrate efforts to construct their own offices.
In 2017, the district leadership lobbied government through the Ministry of Finance for funds to construct the district headquarters.
“We have an alternative land measuring 100 acres at Sasira Village although we now have dissenting voices over the intended relocation,” Mr Kigula says.
He adds that government through the Ministry of Finance in the Financial Year 2018/2019 plans to give Shs200m to Nakasongola District to kick start the project.
“We can only be sure of these funds after reaching a consensus on the new site which is more secure and titled,” he notes.
Mr Kigula also dismisses claims labelled against him as acting on the influence of Buganda Kingdom.

Very united, welcoming people
The Buruuli Chiefdom Prime Minister, Mr Sam Kasirye, however, dismisses the alleged rift, claiming that the people of Buruuli are very united and welcome all development projects.
“It is not true that the cultural leaders are against the transfer of the district headquarters from the current location. We are only waiting for more sensitisation and deliberation on the matter before we finally endorse the proposal,” he says.
But Buganda Kingdom spokesperson Noah Kiyimba says the kingdom was ready to negotiate with Nakasongola District leaders over redeveloping their offices.
“We don’t have any problem with people in Buruuli because they are all Kabaka’s people and when new district offices are constructed, they benefit all people regardless of their tribal inclinations. What the district leaders have to do, is to formalise their relationship with us and get a lease which will pave way for construction of new offices or they can pay rent; the two options are open,” he says.
On August 20, 2015, a mysterious fire destroyed part of Kabaka’s palace in Nakasongola after suspected arsonists reportedly used petrol to light the fire, according to police findings which led to the arrest of one suspect in 2015.