The King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has renewed the Kingdom’s demand for the return of its properties currently held by the central government. Speaking during the 28th Coronation Anniversary celebration at his palace in Fort Portal City.
King Oyo expressed the Kingdom’s eagerness to regain control of these assets, despite the protracted process. In 1966, when kingdoms were abolished in Uganda, properties owned by these institutions were taken over by the government.
After the restoration of the Tooro Kingdom in 1993, the government returned only 15 out of the 75 properties that originally belonged to the Kingdom. Some of the returned assets include the Burahya County headquarters in Butebe, three buildings in Fort Portal town, and parcels of land in Kichwamba, Bukuku, Karambi, and Kisomoro sub-counties.
The properties currently being sought by the Tooro Kingdom are located in Bundibugyo, Kasese, Kyenjojo, and Kamwenge districts, with Kasese and Bundibugyo having been under Tooro Kingdom jurisdiction until 2010.
King Oyo emphasized that, while negotiations with the government are ongoing regarding the return of these assets, his subjects should not face eviction from Kingdom land.
Additionally, he revealed that they are collaborating with the government to issue land titles to ensure landowners have security over their holdings. In 2019, King Oyo held discussions with President Museveni regarding the return of Kingdom assets.
He expressed that the government’s delay in returning these properties had negatively impacted the Kingdom’s finances.
King Oyo further explained that if these assets were returned, the Kingdom could rent them out to generate income for sustaining its activities and enhancing its financial stability.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa urged King Oyo to raise awareness among his subjects about the adverse effects of continued land fragmentation in the Kingdom, emphasizing that it hinders development.
He also encouraged the King to embrace government programs like the parish development model for the benefit of the community. provide headlines