In short
Since last year, the Kingdom has been demanding assets from the government. The property includes more than 150 assets including land and buildings from the government located in Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts. The Kingdom also has assets in Kasese and Bundibugyo, which were formerly under Tooro Kingdom prior to the establishment of Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu and Obundigya bwa Bamba.
Ugandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has called for patience from Tooro kingdom loyalists demanding for return of properties under the custody of the central government.
Mbabazi was speaking in Fort Portal on Friday at the swearing in ceremony of leaders of Tooro youth group ‘Amacumu ne Bitara bya Rukirabasaija’ literally meaning the King’s Spears and Swords.
Mbabazi’s comments came after Gilbert Kayondo; one of the founders of the group told the Prime Minister that the government was reluctant to return the assets despite several promises and commitments made by President Yoweri Museveni.
Since last year, the Kingdom has been demanding assets from the government. The property includes more than 150 assets including land and buildings from the government located in Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts. The Kingdom also has assets in Kasese and Bundibugyo, which were formerly under Tooro Kingdom prior to the establishment of Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu and Obundigya bwa Bamba.
The delay to return the assets prompted the kingdom subjects to walk for four days to Parliament from Fort Portal Town to present a petition to the speaker, Rebecca Kadaga seeking the return of ‘Ebyaitu’.
However Mbabazi said that the government has no intension of refusing to return what belongs to the Kingdoms and adds that there are procedures which the government and the kingdom should follow, before the property is returned.
Citing the example of Buganda Kingdom, whose properties were returned recently, Mbabazi said that it took more than ten years for the government to verify the claims made by Buganda and in the case of Tooro, if the claims are genuine and clear, the properties will be returned.
Mbabazi added that government would compensate the kingdoms for any properties in which it holds interest.
In what seemed like a response to Mbabazi's comments, the King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV said that the Kingdom will not give up on demanding what belongs to it. He however said that the demand should be pursued in a non-violent way.
King Oyo also advised the newly elected youth leaders to steer clear of politics and work for the development of the kingdom.
Mbabazi was speaking in Fort Portal on Friday at the swearing in ceremony of leaders of Tooro youth group ‘Amacumu ne Bitara bya Rukirabasaija’ literally meaning the King’s Spears and Swords.
Mbabazi’s comments came after Gilbert Kayondo; one of the founders of the group told the Prime Minister that the government was reluctant to return the assets despite several promises and commitments made by President Yoweri Museveni.
Since last year, the Kingdom has been demanding assets from the government. The property includes more than 150 assets including land and buildings from the government located in Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts. The Kingdom also has assets in Kasese and Bundibugyo, which were formerly under Tooro Kingdom prior to the establishment of Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu and Obundigya bwa Bamba.
The delay to return the assets prompted the kingdom subjects to walk for four days to Parliament from Fort Portal Town to present a petition to the speaker, Rebecca Kadaga seeking the return of ‘Ebyaitu’.
However Mbabazi said that the government has no intension of refusing to return what belongs to the Kingdoms and adds that there are procedures which the government and the kingdom should follow, before the property is returned.
Citing the example of Buganda Kingdom, whose properties were returned recently, Mbabazi said that it took more than ten years for the government to verify the claims made by Buganda and in the case of Tooro, if the claims are genuine and clear, the properties will be returned.
Mbabazi added that government would compensate the kingdoms for any properties in which it holds interest.
In what seemed like a response to Mbabazi's comments, the King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV said that the Kingdom will not give up on demanding what belongs to it. He however said that the demand should be pursued in a non-violent way.
King Oyo also advised the newly elected youth leaders to steer clear of politics and work for the development of the kingdom.
