Kampala - Two of three officials of Uganda's influential Buganda kingdom arrested late last week were charged with treason and terrorism Friday in a magistrate's court in the capital Kampala.

Bugandan Deputy Information Minister Medard Lubega faced the treason and terrorism charges while the head of the monarchy's civic education committee, Mrs Betty Namboze Bakireke was charged with treason. They both were released on bail.

No charges were brought against a third official, the monarchy's Information Minister Charles Peter Mayiga who was earlier released on police bond.

The Ugandan government accuses the officials of collaborating with the predominantly Muslim guerillas of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) who have been based in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1997.

Abolished in 1966, the traditional kingdoms were restored by President Yoweri Museveni in the 1990s. There have been increasing tensions between the traditional rulers, particularly from Buganda, and the central government.

The kingdom of the Baganda people, Buganda is the largest and wealthiest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda. Traditional rulers enjoy a ceremonial role, but are forbidden by law from engaging in politics.

The arrests were reportedly sparked by the kingdom's strong opposition to a new land bill designed to give tenants more power at the expense of landlords. (dpa)