Masaka vacates Buganda building over rent
One of the buildings of Buganda Kingdom which has been housing the office of the Masaka chief administrative officer. Photo by Gertrude Mutyaba
Masaka- Masaka District staff have vacated Buganda Kingdom buildings at Ssaza Village on the outskirts of Masaka Town over non-payment of nominal ground rent amounting to more than Shs1b.
Staff started removing furniture from the buildings last Thursday following a reminder from Namulondo Investments Limited, an investment arm of the kingdom.
In a March 22 letter addressed to the district, the kingdom accused the leaders of deliberately failing to formalise their tenancy.
“You stated that some officials promised to give a response to your claim of being bonafide/lawful occupants on the kingdom’s land, but they did not revert to you. Our client does not have any record of any meeting with your office where such issues were discussed and resolved neither did you furnish us with the same,” Mr Magellan Kazibwe, a lawyer of Namulondo Investments Ltd, states in the letter.
He said they will seek legal redress if district authorities fail to organise a meeting with kingdom officials in two weeks.
The office blocks have been housing the office of the chief administration officer, health and education departments.
Mr Jude Mbabaali, the district chairperson, said he relocated the affected departments to Kijjabwemi Rehabilitation Centre premises, about 2km away.
“In the meantime, let us minimise the pressure put on us by Buganda, it is better we vacate as we find a solution of paying their money,” he said.
Mr Mbabaali said they have written to central government requesting for funds to build their own headquarters, adding that they are yet to receive a response.
Eviction notice
Mr Musa Matovu Kigongo, the Buddu County spokesperson, said they have launched a campaign to evict districts in Buganda that are not paying the nominal ground rent. Months ago, authorities in Kalungu District were also given a 30-day ultimatum to vacate the kingdom buildings after failing to pay the rent amounting to Shs281.2m. However, the kingdom later rescinded its earlier decision after district officials promised to clear the arrears soon.
