Masaka City Council Task Landlords To Refurbish Buildings, Walkways

Masaka City Council has tasked all property owners to refurbish and lay concrete pavers in the facades of their buildings as their contribution to the beautification of the city. 

Florence Namayanja, the Masaka City Mayor, says that both the technical and political leadership have unanimously resolved to instruct all property owners to work out plans for improving the outlook of their buildings, beginning with the central business area. 

According to her, the leadership agreed to implement a policy on general beautification and cleanliness of the city, hence finding it proper to pass on part of the responsibilities to property owners. She says the policy demands buildings owners to pave their frontages and those with old buildings to repaint them to measure up to the standard of the city. 

Landlords with undeveloped plots of land within the city have also been tasked to regularly clear them of bushes and garbage, as they prepare to build them.  Namayanja indicates that they have already started to engage all landlords in the city to ensure that they abide by the demands of the newly adopted urban development and beautification plan.  

He explains that as the city struggles to have its budget allocations enhanced; they have decided to share some of the responsibilities with the stakeholders.

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Vincent Okrutu, the Masaka City Clerk has expressed concern about the irresponsible conduct of some property owners who destroy public infrastructure, which includes among others blocking utility service lanes and drainage channels.

He says that their public health inspectors and law enforcement officers have started identifying the property owners that are not compliant with the building control regulations, such that they can be warned, or where necessary be punished for their wrongdoings.   

Okrutu has on the other hand advised the landlords of undeveloped plots of land in the city to consider exploring the provisions of the government’s policy on condominiums, which allows more than one person to partner in developing a common premise.  

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Hajj Moses Kimaze, the Secretary for the Association of Property Owners in Masaka City says they have no problem with the required renovation of their buildings as long as the authorities guide them appropriately and give them ample time to look for resources. 

He has cautioned the city leadership against enforcing the policy in a haphazard approach, warning that if rushed, it may instead lead to an unpleasant atmosphere as people may implement it depending on their respective preferences.

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Cue out: ….okufanagana ku street.”//   Earlier in 2021, the Masaka City Roads Committee also passed a resolution to remove all the old bitumen and concrete materials in shopping lanes and pedestrian walkways, to replace them with pavers, as a viable alternative in terms of cost and durability as opposed to the traditional asphalt material.