The government through the Ministry of Gender, has submitted a request for a supplementary budget of Shs2 billion to support the renovation of the contested Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala.
This funding is part of the Shs3.5 trillion supplementary budget presented to Parliament on Monday by Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance.
The Gaddafi National Mosque currently faces the imminent threat of auction due to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC)’s inability to settle a Shs19 billion debt.
Last week, the UMSC lost a constitutional court appeal attempting to block businessman Justus Kyabahwa from selling off eight prime properties, including the mosque.
The financial predicament arose when Kyabahwa purchased a piece of land from UMSC in Sembabule district for Shs3.5 billion. It was later discovered that the land had an existing 15-year lease title. Unable to repay the debt, the outstanding amount has since ballooned to Shs19 billion with accrued interest.