Wakiso leaders block govt move to build sh165b tech hub

WAKISO - Wakiso district leaders have blocked a government move to establish a sh165.5b National Technological Demonstration Centre (NTDC) at Gunda Forest Reserve in Kabaale village, Katabi town council, Wakiso district. 

The centre is supposed to house scientists and innovators who will provide solutions to the country. 

Wakiso district chairperson Matia Lwanga Bwanika told New Vision that “no one will take over that forest”, which measures 57ha. 

“That is a local forest under the district and it was handed over to me in a report when I was assuming office. Secondly, there are processes to be followed when you are de-gazetting a forest,” he said. 

Bwanika said anyone who wants to take over forest land should first look for alternative land and plant trees on it. 

He also said he heard that on January 23, 2023, President Yoweri Museveni issued a directive to establish the centre. “But that directive should have been written to us, the owners of the forest, not the ministers,” Bwanika said. 

Betty Naluyima, the Wakiso district Woman MP, urged that the right procedures be followed to degazette the forest. 

Wakiso district chairperson Matia Lwanga Bwanika told New Vision that “no one will take over that forest”, which measures 57ha. 

Lands state minister Sam Mayanja told New Vision on March 31 that he visited the area two weeks ago with State House officials. 

“The establishment of the NTDC was sanctioned according to a presidential directive dated January 23, 2023. Our role is to implement it without misgivings,” he said. 

“Any person that has a query regarding the project should address it to the President.” 

In her letter to her water and environment counterpart, Sam Cheptoris, dated March 5, 2024, lands minister Judith Nabakooba said Gunda is a local forest reserve under Wakiso district local government management, having been gazetted in 1932. 

She said they resolved that the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) halt the allocations. 
Nabakooba added that ULC had already allocated part of the forest to the NTDC and other competent beneficiaries for mixed-use development, including hotels and housing, in line with the developments in the neighbourhood. 

Betty Naluyima, the Wakiso district Woman MP, urged that the right procedures be followed to degazette the forest. 

However, as the above processes were going on, the ULC received a letter from the commissioner of land registration forbidding the Gunda land acquisition, guiding that the de-gazetting process must be followed. 

In her letter to the permanent secretaries of the ministries of finance and lands dated September 12, 2024, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said she had learnt that the ULC approved the processing of a freehold certificate of title on the project land. 

“I am writing to follow up on the same and direct you to expeditiously issue this certificate of title as approved by ULC. I trust that you will take swift and decisive action on this matter to avoid any further delays,” she wrote to finance ministry permanent secretary Ramathan Ggoobi and his counterpart in lands, Dorcas Okalany. 

According to Ggoobi’s letter to the executive director of the National Planning Authority, Joseph Muvawala, dated July 25, 2023, State House’s engineering and transport department requested sh15.5b as startup funds and sh150b for the design and construction of the technology centre. 

Ggoobi, therefore, requested Muvawala to support the State House through the project appraisal process in line with the development committee guidelines.