A heated controversy has erupted in the Tooro Kingdom as activists decampaign a fundraising drive to construct royal tombs. The kingdom’s prime minister, Armstrong Rwomiire, launched the rehabilitation program for all kingdom burial grounds, starting with the construction of royal tombs, which requires 2 billion Ugandan shillings.
Kingdom’s Financial Mismanagement Allegations
Activists Joram Bitamanya and Andrew Irumba argue that the kingdom has received substantial compensation from the government, including over 2 billion shillings for some properties and 4 billion shillings for shares in Kilembe Mines. They accuse kingdom officials of mismanaging funds and selling off properties without clear expenditure.
Questionable Land Transactions
The activists claim that properties like TEMTECO Tea estate and Rukidi Secondary School were sold off without transparency. They also accuse the kingdom of changing land titles from Obukama Bwa Tooro to King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s name, suggesting that the kingdom’s properties are being sold off without accountability.
Fundraising Drive Criticized
Irumba Andrew and Joram Bitamanya revealed that the kingdom intends to collect 1,000 shillings from each Mutooro. They urged Batooro to boycott the fundraising drive, questioning the kingdom officials’ love and patriotism for the kingdom’s growth and development. They argued that if the officials genuinely wanted to renovate the kingdom’s burial sites (Amagasani) for the past kings, they would have utilized the billions received from the government and land sales.
Concerns about Kingdom’s Future
The activists warned that if Batooro don’t wake up, the kingdom may be depleted, with its assets sold off, ultimately affecting its future. Activist Anthony Babs Kasaija echoed these concerns, accusing the kingdom of misusing previous government compensation funds for personal luxury instead of investing in communal development.
Historical Context: Demand for Ebyaitu
The controversy highlights the kingdom’s long-standing demand for its properties, known as “Ebyaitu,” which were seized by the government in 1967. Since then, the kingdom has been demanding the return of its assets.
Key Players in the Demand for Ebyaitu
The Isaazi Lya Tooro, the elders in the kingdom, have spearheaded the campaign for the return of Tooro kingdom properties. The youth have also been at the forefront of demanding Tooro kingdom properties, including a notable 4-day walk to parliament in 2014.
Youth Involvement
On May 10, 2014, over 300 youths embarked on a 4-day walk to parliament, handing over a petition requesting the return of kingdom properties. The group, Amacumu n’Ebitara, walked for 300 kilometers from Fort Portal to Kampala, protesting the delay by the government to return the kingdom’s property.
Tooro Kingdom Officials’ Involvement
Since 2013, the kingdom has been demanding the return of its assets that were reverted to the government after the abolition of monarchies in 1967. During his 18th coronation anniversary in 2013, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, and kingdom officials spoke of the need for government to return the assets commonly referred to as Ebyaitu.
List of Ebyaitu (Tooro Kingdom Properties)
The kingdom is demanding 150 assets.
Some of the Tooro properties.
- Katwe Salt mines Kasese
- Kilembe Mines Kasese
- Queen Elizabeth National Park Kasese
- 325 Acres in Nyachwamba in Kamwenge
- 60 Acres at Karambi Query Kamwenge
- 25 acres at Lyamugonera Kamwenge
- 120 Acres at Kabuga Kamwenge
- 13 land titles in Kyenjojo District
- 8 Land titles in Ntoroko District
- 13 Land titles in Bunyangabu
- 8 land titles in Bundibugyo
- 1025 Square miles in Kasese
- 60 acres at Kakara village Kamwenge
- Kakyinga Kabunga 194 acres Kamwenge
- 8 Acres of land at Gariraya Kamwenge
The controversy surrounding the fundraising drive has sparked a heated debate about the kingdom’s financial management and its future.
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