Row erupts over CHOGM billboard
Jun 20, 2007
A PRIVATE security guard has been deployed near the Electoral Commission (EC) offices to deter the demolition of a billboard put up by Adman, a city advertising firm. The EC authorities claim that the billboard was illegally erected since the owners did not seek their permission before it was put up
By Herbert Ssempogo
A PRIVATE security guard has been deployed near the Electoral Commission (EC) offices to deter the demolition of a billboard put up by Adman, a city advertising firm. The EC authorities claim that the billboard was illegally erected since the owners did not seek their permission before it was put up.
For the past one week, the armed guard has been watching the billboard for 24 hours.
This follows a row over the billboard between the EC, Adman and Kampala City Council (KCC).
The billboard replaced an EC advertisement.
EC officials were worried that the billboard is a security threat.
“It is literally hanging over our roof. God forbid if something happened, it would land on us, damage our property and also harm the people,†the EC’s secretary, Sam Rwakoojo, said last week.
Rwakoojo said they do not allow advertisements on their perimeter wall and added that they would contact the Ministry of Works and Transport for redress.
Adman boss Joseph Kasumba said they had not contravened any city laws and guidelines concerning billboards.
He claimed that the guard was watching over the “foundation†of a new structure. However, save for the repairs on the nearby junction, no new structure is being raised in the area.
KCC publicist Simon Muhumuza said Adman was not granted permission to put up a billboard in the area. He, however, added that the EC had not formally complained to them about the advert.
A PRIVATE security guard has been deployed near the Electoral Commission (EC) offices to deter the demolition of a billboard put up by Adman, a city advertising firm. The EC authorities claim that the billboard was illegally erected since the owners did not seek their permission before it was put up.
For the past one week, the armed guard has been watching the billboard for 24 hours.
This follows a row over the billboard between the EC, Adman and Kampala City Council (KCC).
The billboard replaced an EC advertisement.
EC officials were worried that the billboard is a security threat.
“It is literally hanging over our roof. God forbid if something happened, it would land on us, damage our property and also harm the people,†the EC’s secretary, Sam Rwakoojo, said last week.
Rwakoojo said they do not allow advertisements on their perimeter wall and added that they would contact the Ministry of Works and Transport for redress.
Adman boss Joseph Kasumba said they had not contravened any city laws and guidelines concerning billboards.
He claimed that the guard was watching over the “foundation†of a new structure. However, save for the repairs on the nearby junction, no new structure is being raised in the area.
KCC publicist Simon Muhumuza said Adman was not granted permission to put up a billboard in the area. He, however, added that the EC had not formally complained to them about the advert.