President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry of Finance to intervene and prevent the auctioning of Ndere Cultural Centre, a key institution for promoting Uganda’s cultural heritage.
The centre, along with two other properties owned by Stephen Rwangyezi, was recently listed for public auction by Quickway Auctioneers & Court Bailiffs due to an unpaid loan. However, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, announced on Wednesday that the government has committed to rescuing the centre.
“The president has instructed the Ministry of Finance to devise a plan for supporting Ndere Centre. While I’m not privy to the details, including whether the government will acquire shares, I can confirm that we are committed to ensuring the centre remains operational as it is a vital cultural resource,” Baryomunsi said.
The move comes amidst concerns from critics who oppose the bailout, but Baryomunsi defended the decision, citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on private businesses. “The government has previously intervened strategically to support the private sector in times of financial difficulty, and this is no different,” he added.
