Government returns Buganda Kingdom properties

A customer care staff explains about different voltage meters at the Lugogo Umeme Centre in Kampala. Umeme shares on traded for the very first time at the Nairobi bourse this week.. FILE PHOT

As Buganda celebrates the 20th coronation anniversary of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, the government has agreed to return to the monarchy more properties it possessed decades ago.

President Yoweri Museveni Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to effect the transfer of the properties.


This followed a State House meeting with Buganda’s Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, Prince David Wasajja and the kingdom’s Attorney General, Mr Apollo Makubuya and Mr Herbert Ndiwalana- who represented the Kabaka.

A State House statement said the President signed and handed over a Memorandum of Understanding to Buganda Buganda officials. Central government Attorney General Peter Nyombi was also present.
The central government seized the assets following the 1966 crisis during which the then executive prime minister abolished the 1962 Constitution, banned kingdoms and introduced the republican Constitution.

The properties to be returned include the Kingdom’s official estates for the Masaza, Amagombolola, properties of chiefs, several markets and land in various urban and rural areas in Buganda among others.


Daily Monitor has learnt that the government will compensate the kingdom for Plot 52, Kampala Road, on which King Fahd Plaza stands.


The government will also compensate Buganda for Mutesa’s House in London that was reportedly sold during Obote’s reign.

According to the memorandum, the government will never block the Kabana from visiting his subjects in Buganda and anywhere in Buganda.

Relations between the kingdom and the central government have largely been frosty and worsened in 2009 when the government blocked Kabaka Mutebi from visiting his subjects in Kayunga District, triggering bloody riots during dozens of civilians were killed.