Nyendo-Mukungwe
Division leaders in Masaka City have accused a local businessman of illegally
constructing a building in one of the remaining public green spaces.
The leaders
are protesting the ongoing construction works in a green space along Broadway
road, Musisi gardens zone. They
accuse Hajj Moses Kaliisa, of forcefully taking over the space without the authorization
of the city authorities.
But Kaliisa
says that they acquired the property from the past leadership of the Katwe-Butego
Division and obtained approvals to develop the plot for commercial purposes.
The
reclaimed greenbelt has been home to some of the oldest mango trees in Masaka
City and was recently also planted with flowers and fixed with security lights
to add beauty to the town. Over the weekend, the green space was fenced
off to prepare for the construction of a commercial building.
Michael
Nakumusana, the Nyendo-Mukungwe
Division Chairperson argues that they cannot allow the construction works to
proceed, claiming that the property still belongs to the council which has
never authorized its sale.
He explains
that although the previous leadership had sold off the property in 2013, the
transaction was nullified by the Inspector General of Government, following
investigations that indicted the former division Town Clerk of abuse of office
and corruption.
According to
Nakumusana, the division executive has unanimously decided to block the
takeover of the green space and has instructed the Town Clerk to rescind the
physical plan allegedly issued to the developer.
//Cue in: “I have all the
evidence…
Cue out: …whatever he is
doing.”//
Luganda
//Cue in: “ettaka eryo
lyaviirako….
Cue out: ….mu kifo
ekyo.”//
Mulindwa
indicated that they are concerned that the city council has previously lost
much of its public green spaces that have been replaced with buildings, arguing
that they cannot afford to lose more of the breathing spaces moreover in the
middle of the town.
Emmanuel
Gakyalo, the Masaka Deputy City Clerk says he was not yet in charge of the division
when the transaction was made and adds that the transfers might have
already been secured from the relevant authorities, who never pursue their
cancellation.
Besides the
resolution to protest the construction works, Gakyalo has advised the
Division executive committee to seek redress from the court to challenge the
authenticity of the land title that was issued to the developer.
//Cue in: “issue eya plot eyo….
Cue out: ….kugwera mu kkooti.”//
The land
dispute has arisen shortly after the Masaka City Stakeholders Committee
instituted an inquiry into the management of public assets in the area.
The Special
Committee which is chaired by Kimanya-Kabonera division Member of Parliament
Dr. Abed Bwanika was instituted in January this year after it emerged that the
city has 35 known properties that include land and buildings whose certificate
of titles could be traced.
