MPs Demand Hotel Owner

By R. Mutumba and Hamis Kaheru MPs yesterday demanded that the Government discloses the owner of a five-star hotel being constructed at the controversial Plot 64/86 on Yusuf Lule road in Kampala. The MPs were discussing the ongoing construction at the plot believed to be a wetland and greenbelt by some conservationists led by Lubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi. Lukyamuzi and Okello Okello (Chua) wanted to know why construction was going on when controversy surrounding the land had not been resolved. MPs led by Manuel Pinto (Kakuto) demanded that the minister in-charge of land, Baguma Isoke, names the developer, saying there was increasing suspicion about the people behind the project. Baguma Isoke promised to name the owner of the project within 24 hours after checking the register. He also told the House that the land was not a protected wetland or a greenbelt, but had been designated as a commercial plot in 1994. He said the plot was not part of the golf course. He said the land, adjacent to the Centenary Park, had initially been designated for residential/commercial plots. He said his ministry was aware of the flood plain along the golf course, saying this was being taken care of. "The on-going development therefore, is in accordance with the resolution of the Kampala City Council and meets the conditions of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)," Isoke said. He said the Government could not stop the construction of the hotel without consulting KCC, NEMA or the Town Planning Authority. Ends