Bunyala turn to Museveni to complete Shs2b head offices
Stalls. The Ssabanyala, Maj Baker Kimeze (centre), commissions the Shs2b Bunyala chiefdom administrative block in Bbaale Town, Kayunga District, in 2017. PHOTO BY FRED MUZAALE
What you need to know:
- However, a Mengo government official in Bbaale Sub-county, who preferred anonymity, asked the Bunyala officials not to proceed with project, claiming that they do not own the land they are using.
- But Mr Ssenkatuuka advised Mengo officials to sue the chiefdom if they feel that the Banyala are trespassing on their land.
The construction of the Bunyala chiefdom headquarters in Kayunga District has stalled over lack of funds, officials have said.
“We are trying to mobilise funds from donors and well-wishers, but we have not got any money yet,” Mr Martin Ssenkatuuka, the chiefdom premier, said on Monday.
“We urgently need to complete construction because we lack offices from where we transact official business for the chiefdom,” he added.
The Ssabanyala, Maj Baker Kimeze, commissioned the construction works of the Shs2.2b offices in Bbaale Sub-county in 2017.Currently, the building is at the window level.
Mr Ssemkatuuka said the building will host offices of the Ssabanyala, ministers, a hall, television and radio stations, among other facilities.
Presently, the Ssabanyala and his cabinet carry out their work from late Ssabanyala Nathan Mpagi’s home at Kyerima Village in Kitimbwa Sub-county.
Mr James Rwebikire, the chiefdom spokesperson, dispelled fears that construction would not resume.
“We are optimistic that construction will resume soon. We expect President Museveni to donate to us some funds when he attends the Ssabanyala’s coronation anniversary,” Mr Rwebikire said.
However, a Mengo government official in Bbaale Sub-county, who preferred anonymity, asked the Bunyala officials not to proceed with project, claiming that they do not own the land they are using.
But Mr Ssenkatuuka advised Mengo officials to sue the chiefdom if they feel that the Banyala are trespassing on their land.
“Buganda Kingdom officials know that the land where we are constructing our headquarters is ours. If we are trespassers, let them take us to court,” he said.
Bbaale Sub-county headquarters is one of the former Buganda administration units in Kayunga District.
Banyala cultural leaders claim they were given to the land in the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the central government and Buganda.
The ethnic Banyala have been at loggerheads with Mengo ever since Maj Kimeze took over the throne in 2008.
