KCCA says petrol stations free to operate in Naguru, Kololo suburbs
Kigenyi explained that Naguru and Kololo permit mixed-use development. On which basis, Shell Naguru was granted a Physical Planning Permit and Building Permit.
KCCA says petrol stations free to operate in Naguru, Kololo suburbs
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Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has defended the presence of petrol stations in selected city suburbs that are considered historical residential areas.
Deputy executive director Benon Kigenyi made the remarks on March 24, 2026, as KCCA officials led by Kampala state minister Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye and executive director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki met lawmakers on the House Committee on Physical Infrastructure, chaired by Dan Kimosho (Kazo County, NRM).
“Naguru and Kololo permit mixed-use development. On which basis, Shell Naguru was granted a Physical Planning Permit and Building Permit. I would like to state that the dimensions of that facility at approval were that they were not on the road. Speaking to issues of traffic jam associated with this, we will visit the site and look at the easements provided and address the problem,” he clarified.
He added that he would supply the committee with a list of approved petrol stations in the capital city.
“Mixed-use developments refer to having an area which can accommodate business, offices, residential, bungalows, high rises and all. I am very sure that you have noted that Kololo and Nakasero have lately had high rise which were not previously there…” Kigenyi further elaborated.
The explanation, however, only served to stir confusion, with several Members of Parliament, including Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju County, PFF), questioning whether this effectively allows any type of business in such upscale areas.
“When you say mixed, you mean you can put any business in Naguru or Kololo, say a petrol station, bar? Because, Kembabazi was a restaurant which has been turned into a petrol station,” Mwijukye inquired.
MPs react
“You can’t believe, because JLOS has also moved there. In the evening, because people are going to KFC, Café Javas, the jam now in that Naguru place. Tomorrow, we shall have a petrol station around Kololo at the airstrip…” Okupa illustrated.
He said KCCA should have consulted residents before allowing such developments, which appears not to have happened.
“This brings a risk to that place, in case of any fire outbreak, God forbid that there is an explosion at that petrol station. Because even the security people were concerned, that’s why they raised it with me, because I stay nearby, opposite the gate of Police headquarters,” he added.
“This was done during the time of the campaigns in December. They made sure that no one raised the issue, because we were all busy. In an express manner and by February, the work was finished,” Okupa pointed out.
Committee ruling
Ruling on the matter, Physical Infrastructure Committee chairperson Dan Kimosho pledged to revisit the issue, citing concerns that many petrol stations are emerging in Kampala without proper scrutiny.
“Because, as you raised, Kyambogo road, there is a slum there. And there is a squeezed petrol station, it’s a shell,” Kimosho cited.
“Even mixed development should be explicitly defined,” he emphasised.
Kampala Central MP Muhamad Nsereko attributed the situation to the absence of a comprehensive master plan.
“As a regulator, we are going to have our division teams map out, after sieving out those which are approved, then we look for any which is not approved and provide that information. But in our database currently, we have those which are approved. But as a regulator, we need to look out for illegal ones which we are going to do and provide you with information,” KCCA executive director Buzeki responded.
She added, “As it was already mentioned, we have Kampala Development Masterplan, but currently, with support from National Planning Authority (NPA), we are doing what they call detailed plans which will now remove this aspect of discretion on the side of the approver to know what to put there after just having comparisons.”
“These ones will provide what we really need in a particular area. We are doing it for Munyonyo waterfront, we have done it for Naguru Medical hub. We are doing for Mulago-Makerere education hub. We have already received the Sh770 million to do the three, if we have more money, we will be able to do the detailed plans for the whole of Kampala and there you are able to know that here there is no petrol station or high rise…” Buzeki summed.