Kabaka warns over tribalism, theft and rights abuse in govt

Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has set the stage for a debate on syndicated corruption and plunder of public resources by officials in government, whom he accused of conniving with some foreigners.
The Kabaka said Uganda at 59 years after independence is mature enough and should have outlived the ills that plague its governance.
“It’s unfortunate that even now, we have  corrupt leaders who use taxpayers’ money for their own good and working with foreigners to embezzle our natural resources and create conflicts based on tribe,” he said.
The king, who delivered a short speech at his kingdom’s Local Government Day at Mengo Palace in Kampala on Friday, said government efforts should be dedicated to developing the rural areas, helping the youth to get jobs and (ensure) equitable resource distribution.
The Kabaka said 59 years since Independence should have taught the country’s leaders to learn from history and lead the nation with truth and justice without trampling on others’ rights.
“There is no leadership that can be respected when leaders undermine fundamental human rights. We need to prioritise respect for human rights and justice,” Kabaka Mutebi said.
 He said the theft of public resources, conspiracy with foreigners to plunder the nation’s natural resources and sowing hatred based on tribal differences are not what should characterise Uganda today.
Without providing specifics, the Kabaka said there are officials who connive with foreigners to plunder natural resources.
Buganda Kingdom and residents have raised several complaints on a range of issues, including complaints of intensive sand mining on the shores of Lake Victoria in Lwera in Kalungu District, and in Buikwe District as well as at Katabi and Ssisa near Entebbe, both in Wakiso District. The kingdom leaders say the activities have left the fresh-water lake shores ecologically degraded.
The acting executive director of government’s Uganda Media Centre, Mr Ssuubi Kiwanuka, in a rejoinder welcomed the kabaka’s effort for a transparent nation, adding that working together is a good gesture.
He said the fight against corruption is high on the agenda of President Museveni’s menu.
“The President has been saying we need to fight corruption, it’s a job for all Ugandans. We welcome the Kabaka’s effort to highlight the problem. Government is doing all that is possible to ensure this is addressed. We have a new IGG [Inspector General of Government] in office. The President is willing to fight corruption,” Mr Kiwanuka said.
He said the President has always castigated sectarianism and he cannot, therefore, allow hatred to flourish.
The unresolved rampant land evictions of bibanja holders (squatters), especially in central region, are on the rise. To address this persistent problem, government has embarked on drafting a Bill that will see reforms in the Mailo Land Tenure System to get a lasting solution to evictions and wrangles.
But in his address, the Kabaka steered clear of the controversial discussion about the proposed land amendment, which government says is intended to secure tenure of tenants, whom state Minister for Lands, Mr Sam Mayanja, says have suffered at the hands of Buganda Kingdom Land Board, which terms as illegal.
However, the Mengo government has consistently denied that land conflicts in the region emanate from existing laws on tenure, but blames the judicial process and armed forces who back land grabbers during evictions.
The monarch also challenged national leaders to  reflect on the role played by his kingdom.
The Kabaka saluted his subjects, who without pay, dedicate their resources selflessly to serve the kingdom to develop the people.
The king, who arrived at his palace for the celebrations at around 11.45am, was welcomed by a few guests.
This year’s celebration was marked under the theme of promoting Bulungi Bwansi (community service) across the country.
He underscored the need to support the youth through empowering them with employment skills.
Buganda prime minister Charles Peter Mayiga said matters of environment should concern every citizen irrespective of their native regions.
“Uganda has the most coveted resources. And if we degrade the environment, we shall witness greater effects on the climate and weather patterns as we do today,” he warned.  
Mr Mayiga added that if we degrade the environment, we may experience less rainfall, which will reduce the quality and quantity of the available water we have in swamps, rivers and lakes.
“All partners should join hands with the kingdom to reverse this dangerous trend because our resources are most valued and appreciated by other countries because of their nature,” he said.
He said in a bid to fulfil the Buganda Kingdom responsibilities, Ugandans in the diaspora have contributed Shs54b to buy computers for all Buganda regional offices across the country.
“All regional offices will be connected to the Internet to ease their work,” he said.  
On arrival, the Kabaka inspected the waste management exhibition stalls.  
What some leaders say
Former Lubaga North MP Moses Kasibante warned public officials who bring in unscrupulous investors, who are given land free of charge and tax holidays, to the disadvantage of Ugandans. “After getting the land, they vanish and the land is retained by their promoters. The Kabaka was point on,” Kasibante said.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago applauded the Kabaka for the good message as the country marks 59 years of Independence.
“Currently, Uganda is faced with challenges of tribalism created by people in government positions. And those promoting tribalism appear to be on a mission championed by the regime because they believe in divide and rule as they entrench themselves in power,” he said.
“This statement has come at a time when the country is celebrating the 59th Independence under the theme ‘Securing our future with mind-set change’  and this should be taken as an important  message, otherwise one day, we will witness tribal fights in our country,” he added.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) deputy secretary general, Mr Harold Kaija, said: “We have seen foreigners being given land on lease but when the time expires, they remain utilising that land, meaning they bought it as individuals not on lease.”

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