|
Mengo Breaks Business Barriers
(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Buganda Kingdom has found a renewed sense of mission in establishing new businesses, after the Lukiiko on Monday endorsed plans to boost the kingdom's revenues.
The move comes as Mengo continues to demand for over Shs 12bn, owed in rental revenues from government. The Lukiiko, meeting in Mengo on Monday, heard from Katikkiro John Baptist Walusimbi, that the kingdom was in advanced stages of building Bulange plaza.
According to the Buganda Land board, construction of the plaza started in the 1970s, with former president Idi Amin Dada intending to use the structure as the general military headquarters.
"The plans are ready and have been submitted to KCCA [Kampala Capital City Authority] for approval before we can make any further steps," Walusimbi told the Lukiiko.
Kingdom Spokesman Charles Peter Mayiga later explained that the kingdom was taking a new commercial path after failing to address what he called "a political problem" - the ongoing dispute between the central government and the kingdom, over rental arrears.
"We have economic and social needs of the people of Buganda which need to be addressed. That is why we are looking at commercial investments so that we can raise revenue to finance the kingdom's activities other than looking up to when the government will pay us," Mayiga told The Observer.
Mayiga explained that the debt was initially set at Shs 18bn before the kingdom entered into a consent judgment with the central government, in which the amount was cut to Shs 12bn, last year.
"We don't want to be held back [by the government], we are coming up with new things but ultimately they will have to pay," Mayiga said.
K2 shares:
The Lukiiko also learnt that to get more competitive in the telecommunications industry, the kingdom will float shares of its K2 Telecom, although the Katikkiro was unable to reveal more details.
"The Kabaka, at the end of last year, during the Enkuuka [end of year fete] at Lubiri, launched a new telecom company, K2, but as of now, the Katikkiro can't say much about this company until I have been fully briefed," Walusimbi said.
Meanwhile, the Lukiiko passed a resolution paying tribute to the late James Mulwana for his contribution to the development of the kingdom. At the time of his death in January, Mulwana was one of the key advisors to the Kabaka.
Copyright The Observer. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
[ Back To Technology News's Homepage ]
|
Internet Telephony Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
CUSTOMER 
Cloud Computing Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
M2M Evolution Magazine
Call Center/CRM
Info Tech 
IP Communications 
Mobile 
Green 
Satellite 
Robotics 
