The Kingdom’s Attorney General Christopher Bwanika says that Buganda needs to be paid for the publication of a false article that has led to massive reputational damage to the Mengo establishment.
On Monday, April 20, Daily Monitor published an article claiming that the Buganda Kingdom had failed to account for 934 million Shillings received as a grant from the United States Embassy in Kampala.
The article adds that the foiled grant was meant for setting up an information board at Kasubi Royal Tombs, the burial grounds of Sekabaka Walugembe Muteesa I, Danieli Mwanga II, Daudi Chwa II, and Sir Edward Muteesa II.
The article said that the money was later recalled by the embassy after the Buganda Kingdom failed to provide accountability for it.
But the Kingdom’s information Minister Noah Kiyimba said that the publication was full of falsehoods.
Kiyimba clarifies in a statement that the US Embassy in Kampala awarded the Kingdom a grant of USD 5,000 (14.935 million Shillings) and not USD 250,000 as reported, to set up an information board at the Kasubi Royal Tombs.
He adds that Kiyimba the grant, was refunded on January 12, 2017, and that the Kingdom does not owe any money to the US Embassy in Kampala.
Now Attorney Bwanika is demanding damages for libel, a prominent public apology, and withdrawal of the article.
“The article is blatantly false, twisted, and wholly malicious and is intended to portray the Kingdom of Buganda in a negative light and present its leadership as dishonest,” Bwanika says.
He has also demanded an apology within five days from April 22, when the request was received.
Bwanika wants an apology to the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, Buganda Cabinet, officials, and the people of Buganda.
“In its ordinary and natural meaning, the article portrays the Kingdom and its officials as thieves, criminals, unscrupulous and dishonest people who are unfit to be in leadership or deserve to be trusted by the US Government or another person or entity,”
Meanwhile, the US Embassy Spokesperson Phil Dimon confirms that the Buganda Kingdom indeed returned the money as they declined to utilize their financial assistance the project at the Kasubi tombs, by the specified project end date.
