The minister of security Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde has halted the reconstruction of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s palace in Nakasongola district amid growing tensions between Buganda kingdom and the Buruuli chiefdom.
Tumukunde’s decision followed a joint meeting between Buganda and Buruuli chiefs, police commanders and resident district commissioner (RDC) Dan Muganga at Nakasongola district headquarters.
Tumukunde said the decision was the most viable option to diffuse renewed tensions between Buganda and Buruuli chiefdom loyalists. Tensions between the two cultural groups were sparked off by a fire that destroyed parts of the palace two weeks ago.
Buganda chiefs in the region said the palace was deliberately set ablaze, and pointed accusations at Buruuli loyalists. Buruuli denied the claim but insisted that they want the palace demolished on grounds that Mengo did not have ownership over the land on which it was constructed.
Buganda ignored the appeals and instead started a campaign to rebuild the palace, this time as a permanent structure. The two sides have been bickering since then.
Tumukunde says that the reconstruction of the palace has been stopped in order to maintain peace in the district. Tumukunde has also warned employees of Buruuli FM against using hate speech and promoting ethnic violence.
He however declined to pronounce on himself on ownership of eight square miles which Mengo and Buruuli chiefdom are both claiming ownership of.
“We came here and we have since resolved that the construction site be halted for the time being. However the Baganda will remain under occupation because occupation does not antogonise the law. So we have also agreed that it is the central government that delayed and should therefore come in quickly and implement the agreement… We have agreed that the media, especially the radio that is local should stop allowing hate talk on matters that in any way prejudice this document.” said Tumukunde
He however noted that there was need for central government to clarify and speed up the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between President Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi on land ownership in Buruuli county.
Tumukunde noted after the implementation of the MoU, government will decide on whether Mengo can reconstruct the palace or not.