The Buganda Land Board-Kyagwe territory Manager Yosia Kimogofu estimates about shillings1.7 billion Mukono district owe the kingdom as ground rent arrears from only buildings used by the district headquarters at kauga in Central Division to house departments such as veterinary, forestry, health, community center, works premises, Chief Administrative Officer’s residence, mineral resources and the Residents District Commissioner’s offices and residence.
Buganda Kingdom is demanding 1.7 billion shillings from Mukono
District local government as arrears for occupying the institution’s buildings.
In 2015, the district agreed with Buganda officials to exempt it
from paying rent for the the buildings that had occupied, but only consider new month of occupancy which the kingdom officials
accepted.
Namulondo Investments Limited, the business arm of Buganda Kingdom on August 13
2015, served the district with a document indicating rates to be followed while effecting their payments. However, since then the district has failed to honor
the commitment.
The Buganda Land Board-Kyagwe territory Manager Yosia Kimogofu says that the Kingdom
owes the district ground rent arrears from buildings that include among others, the district
headquarters at Kauga in Central Division.
Kimogofu says that the district also owes the Kingdom rent arrears for buildings
occupied by Nakifuma, Ntenjeru, Naggojje, Nakisunga, Kyampisi, Kasawo, Koome
and Goma Sub Counties.
But the District Chairperson Andrew Ssenyonga explains that the
district lacks funds to pay the arrears. He wants the Kingdom to grant the district more time to complete construction of the district headquarters.
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Ssenyonga also reveals that they plan to apply to Buganda Land Board to lease
land and the properties they are occupying.
Sylvia Kyobe a woman councillor representing Nama and Kyampisi Sub
County says that the Chairperson and the Chief Administrative Officer should negotiate
with Mengo government and be given a grace period.
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Mukono
District collects about 600 million shillings every year from local revenue which is not
enough to meet its needs.
