Last week, the Masaka City Physical Planning Committee issued a circular banning the sale and development of plots of land before owners secure subdivision certificates issued by the committee.
There is growing panic among land brokers and dealers in Masaka City Council as the Physical Planning Department introduces compulsory land subdivision certificates for all property owners and developers. Last week, the Masaka City Physical Planning Committee issued a circular banning the sale and development of plots of land before owners secure subdivision certificates issued by the committee.
Martin Kigozi, the Masaka City Senior Physical Planner, says the policy is intended to ensure strict adherence to physical planning regulations and to prevent unscrupulous land transactions and illegal constructions. According to the circular, anyone seeking to subdivide plots for construction must first seek formal permission from the committee, which will inspect the site to ensure that the layout conforms to the city's development master plan. The aim is to avoid the possibility of creating slums.
Kigozi notes that conformity standards include ensuring that plots are not smaller than 100 by 50 feet, have standard access roads and utility service lanes, and do not encroach on road reserves, among other planning requirements. He adds that the committee has also halted issuing construction plan approvals for any plots until developers obtain subdivision certificates.
He argues that this measure will help prevent disorganized constructions, particularly in areas annexed to the city in 2020.
//Cue in: “we have agreed…..
Cue out: …. below fifty by hundred.”//
(Luganda)
//Cue in: “tukilina nti toggwa….
Cue out: …..nga tutandikidde wano.”//
Muhammad Yiga, a property agent operating in Masaka City, fears the new regulations are designed to push them out of a business that supports their livelihoods.
He says they had invested heavily in procuring and parcelling land into plots before the new conditions were introduced. He warns that the enforcement could lead to huge financial losses.
Yiga has pleaded with the city leadership to delay the strict enforcement of the new regulation and first to conduct public sensitization campaigns to help people understand and appreciate the relevance of the new City development plan.
(Luganda Audio)
//Cue in: “nze nno ninamu okwenyamira….
Cue out: ….oyite physical planner.”//
Arthur Nuwabwine, another land agent, expressed concern that obtaining subdivision certificates requires agents to facilitate the committee's site inspections, describing the added expense as unrealistic.
