Government: “We gave Buganda cash in place of Kabaka cars

The minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi has clarified that Buganda officials opted to be given money instead of the cars for Kabaka Mutebi.

The clarficiation comes after Buganda declined the two vehicles which President Museveni had gifted the Kabaka. The president also gifted 15 other cultural leaders with two vehicles each today at Kololo ceremonial grounds.

The two cars, a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 and Toyota Hilux cost a total of Shs 800 million, officials from the ministry of Gender told journalists.

However, Amongi told journalists at Kololo that in meetings with Buganda officials, including the Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, it had been agreed that the kingdom be given money instead of the cars.

“I visited the Katikkiro and we agreed with them because they indicated that Buganda has their methods and cultures. The culture requires that certain provisions are done by the subjects, so we agreed that the money for the Buganda kingdom will be given at once, including the money for the vehicles, the Shs 60 million [monthly allowance] cumulatively. They indicated that the government or any other institution cannot facilitate their king with the vehicle. So, we have given them the money for all the accumulated years plus [money] for the vehicle. We have given them the cheque. They know how they are going to utilize the money,” she said.