The minister of Information at Mengo, Israel Kitooke has disputed government’s account that in meetings with Buganda, they had agreed to take money instead of the government cars.
Betty Amongi, the minister for Gender yesterday told journalists that Buganda had been given a cheque for the cars because its officials had said the Kabaka cannot be looked after by the central government.
But Kitooke, in a hastily called press conference in which journalists were not allowed to ask questions, dismissed Amongi’s account.
“Katikkiro Mayiga indeed met with Betty Amongi, but they never discussed cars. The meeting was about how Buganda can partner with the government in various development initiatives. It was not about money or the cars,” Kitooke said.
Kitooke also said they had made it clear to the central government that Kabaka would not be taking the Shs 60 million monthly allowance given to cultural leaders. He said that according to Buganda’s norms, the Kabaka does not receive a salary.
He said they advised the government to invest this money in the various initiatives undertaken by Buganda.
Yesterday, Buganda declined to pick two vehicles that President Museveni had gifted cultural leaders, including the Kabaka claiming they did not need government support.
Buganda declines as Museveni gifts 30 SUVs to cultural leaders worth Shs12bn
However, Amongi later said Buganda had taken the “cars in cash”, a version that has now been disputed by Mengo.
