In short
In Tooro, the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Bunyangabu currently use the Kingdom buildings to host their Sub County headquarters. Some of the buildings are also being occupied by schools and health facilities.
The Kingdom of Tooro has issued a directive demanding rent from local governments occupying its buildings.
Following the abolition of Kingdoms in 1967 by the Obote I government, kingdom properties such as land and buildings reverted to the central government. The assets are still under the control of the central government even after the restoration of cultural institutions more than 20 years ago.
In Tooro, the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Bunyangabu currently use the Kingdom buildings to host their Sub County headquarters. Some of the buildings are also being occupied by schools and health facilities.
Bernard Tungwakwo, the Prime Minister Tooro Kingdom says that with effect from next year, the local governments will start paying revenue for using the buildings or vacate the buildings to pave way for other development programs.
//Cue in: "The local governments...
Cue out: "...vacate our properties."//
According to Tungwakwo, earnings from rent will help finance several activities of the Kingdom.
In a telephone interview, William Kaija and Richard Rwabuhinga, the LCV District Chairpersons for Kyenjojo and Kabarole districts respectively said that they will meet with the Kingdom officials over the matter.
The action taken by the Kingdom could be in response to government's delay to return assets.
Tooro is demanding more than 150 assets including land and buildings from the government. The assets are located in Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts. The Kingdom also has assets in Kasese and Bundibugyo, which were formerly under Tooro before starting their own cultural institutions.
Since 2013, the Kingdom has been demanding the assets, which they argue once returned, will boost the revenue of the kingdom through leasing out the assets.
In July this year, Florence Kiconco a legal officer-in-charge of land matters at State House, who is also a member of the government team negotiating with Tooro, said that State House and the Office of the Attorney General are still verifying some of the claims made by Tooro.
She said that after the verification exercise the government's position will be communicated to the kingdom authorities.
Following the abolition of Kingdoms in 1967 by the Obote I government, kingdom properties such as land and buildings reverted to the central government. The assets are still under the control of the central government even after the restoration of cultural institutions more than 20 years ago.
In Tooro, the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Bunyangabu currently use the Kingdom buildings to host their Sub County headquarters. Some of the buildings are also being occupied by schools and health facilities.
Bernard Tungwakwo, the Prime Minister Tooro Kingdom says that with effect from next year, the local governments will start paying revenue for using the buildings or vacate the buildings to pave way for other development programs.
//Cue in: "The local governments...
Cue out: "...vacate our properties."//
According to Tungwakwo, earnings from rent will help finance several activities of the Kingdom.
In a telephone interview, William Kaija and Richard Rwabuhinga, the LCV District Chairpersons for Kyenjojo and Kabarole districts respectively said that they will meet with the Kingdom officials over the matter.
The action taken by the Kingdom could be in response to government's delay to return assets.
Tooro is demanding more than 150 assets including land and buildings from the government. The assets are located in Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts. The Kingdom also has assets in Kasese and Bundibugyo, which were formerly under Tooro before starting their own cultural institutions.
Since 2013, the Kingdom has been demanding the assets, which they argue once returned, will boost the revenue of the kingdom through leasing out the assets.
In July this year, Florence Kiconco a legal officer-in-charge of land matters at State House, who is also a member of the government team negotiating with Tooro, said that State House and the Office of the Attorney General are still verifying some of the claims made by Tooro.
She said that after the verification exercise the government's position will be communicated to the kingdom authorities.
