Security Minister Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde has warned Buruuli chiefdom and Buganda Kingdom chiefs against inciting violence in Nakasongola district following the fire at the Buganda King’s Palace.
Tumukunde made a stern warning in separate meetings with Buruuli Chiefdom cultural leader Isabaruuli Mwogezi Butamanya and Gerald Kyanjo, the Buganda representative in Buruuli County last evening wehere ha had rushed to diffuse renewed tensions between Buganda Kingdom and Buruuli Chiefdom loyalists following a fire that destroyed the palace of the Buganda King early this month.
Tension escalated after Buganda loyalists embarked on the construction of a permanent palace at Nakasongola district headquarters amid protests from the Buruuli community.
The Baruuli said that the administrative unit's land was returned to the chiefdom through a memorandum of Understanding signed by the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and President Yoweri Museveni in 2013.
Tumukunde said that he received reports that Mengo is mobilizing youths to reconstruct the Kabaka's palace and Buruuli loyalists are also assembling parallel groups to protest against the move. He warns that such actions are a precursor for violence and bloodshed.
Tumukunde also cautioned Buganda chiefs against disregarding his advice to suspend reconstruction of the palace until disagreements on the matter are resolved.
But Buganda Kingdom and Buruuli chiefdom's have denied allegations of inciting violence in the district. Isabaruuli Constantine Mwogezi Butamanya, the cultural head of Buruuli Chiefdom demanded that government blocks Buganda loyalists from reconstructing the palace and return all land to Buruuli chiefdom as agreed in the Memorandum signed in 2013. He also wants government to compel Mengo to respect the said Memorandum.
But Gerald Kyanjo, Buganda's Representative in Buruuli County asked Tumukunde to remain neutral and restrain Buruuli loyalists from provoking Buganda.
Kyanjo faults Isabaruuli Mwogezi Butamanya for misinterpreting the memorandum of understanding adding that Buganda Kingdom is still in possession of land titles of all administrative units in Nakasongola.
