Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has urged Tooro Kingdom to emulate the example of Buganda Kingdom by exercising patience while demanding for the return of their property from the central Government.
Mbabazi said he will deliver their message of reminder for return of their property to the President, adding that President Museveni whom he has worked with for a long time will deliver on his promise.
“Patience is a virtue. The matter is a settled matter. Anyone who has a claim to anything such of property will get it without hesitation in accordance with the law and where Government has an interest in that property you will be compensated,” said Mbabazi.
The Premier made the remarks during the swearing in ceremony of the new leadership of Amacumu ne Bitara, the King’s army in Tooro Kingdom, on Friday at Muchwa in Fort Portal.
“I have not heard that you are a rebel group. As long as you act in accordance with the law, you are safe and have no reason to fear.You will serve your kingdom best if you are strong,” Mbabazi told the youth who requested him to follow up on their petition they took to Parliament regarding the return of Tooro Kingdom property.
The youth under the new leadership of Edward Kasaija had earlier told Mbabazi that some Government agents refer to them as a militia group even when their major objective is to promote and protect the Tooro Kingdom.
Mbabazi urged the people of Tooro to remain united and also thanked Tooro for consistently supporting NRM, adding that Tooro was a springboard of victory for the NRM Government.
The Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba congratulated the new youth leadership and applauded them for supporting him and the Kingdom. He asked the youth to avoid violence towards the central government while demanding for their property.
Flanked by the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisha and the Kingdom Premier, Stephen Kaliba, the Omukama said his Kingdom is a cultural institution and not a political forum, adding that he will not allow anyone to use his kingdom for political purposes.
Earlier on, Mbabazi joined the Tooro King on the commemoration of the Empango health and nutrition week at Kyenjojo secondary school play grounds where he accepted to be a good will Ambassador of the Kingdom in efforts to build King Oyo International Children’s hospital.
He said the health and nutrition of people is absolutely essential for any development process, adding that cultural institutions should play a supportive role in the national development process.
He donated 10 million shillings on behalf his office to start the project, promising more support when the Kingdom holds a fundraising for the hospital construction.
As a national champion for global scaling up nutrition movement and also member of global lead group, Mbabazi said Government is implementing the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan.
He said focus has been put on reducing iron deficiency anemia in children under 5 years to 50% by 2016 from a base line of 73% in 2006.There are also efforts to reduce stunting in children under 5 years from the current 32% to 27% as well as increasing exclusive breast feeding up to six months to 75% by all by 2016.
The socio –economic costs associated with nutrition every year are estimated at 1.8 trillion shillings equivalent to 5.6% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Also present were the Member of Parliament for Mwenge south, and Minister of State for Finance in charge of Privatisation, Aston Kajara and the LCV Chairman for Kyenjojo, Byamukama James among others.