Govt hands over land to Katwe artisans

Feb 19, 2012

The Government has handed over 4.5 acres of land along Salaama Road in Makindye division to local artisans, to improve their working conditions.

By Taddeo Bwambale

The Government has handed over 4.5 acres of land along Salaama Road in Makindye division to local artisans, to improve their working conditions.

President Yoweri Museveni pledged a piece of land to the artisans after they petitioned him for support to find a convenient place to work in 2005.

The minister of trade and industry, Amelia Kyambadde handed over the land on Saturday to Katwe Metal Fabricators Cluster (KFMC), an umbrella body that brings together artisans in operating in the area.

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The group broke away from Katwe Small-Scale Industries Development Association (KASSIDA), and ownership of the piece of land was contested by both parties.

Kyambadde promised that the Government would consider finding an alternative piece of land for KASSIDA during the next financial year.

She warned members of KFMC against provoking their rivals, citing the acquisition of the disputed land.

The minister promised that her ministry would provide technical guidance to the artisans and monitor their activities to ensure that the land is used for its intended purpose.

“I could not sleep because of the urgency of this matter. I am glad to hand over this land to you, and please use it well,” she said.

“But we will not like it to find you selling tomatoes on this land. Do not use this land for vending,” she warned.

Kyambadde described the allocation of the land to the artisans as the beginning of industrialization in the country.

“Many people used to say Uganda cannot produce anything; not even a safety pin. But to hear engines roaring from locally-made equipment is testimony that we can produce,” she said.

Kyambadde also said her ministry would help the artisans to improve the quality of their products through training and mentorship by agencies such as the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

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Kyambadde, who handed the artisans a letter of occupancy, said the land would be leased to them for 49years, adding that the title was still being prepared by the lands ministry.

Over 3,000 artisans are expected to operate on the land with 800 registered workshops, according to the chairperson of the artisans’ body, Omulangila Juma Kayira.

Kayira appealed to the Government to review the criteria for accessing loans through the sh25b youth funds for entrepreneurship, arguing that most artisans would miss out since many have no formal qualifications.

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