Where is NEMA’s authority?
Nov 14, 2007
Letter of the day <br><br>EDITOR—In July, I wrote to you about how the residents of Kyambogo Lower Estate were incensed that part of a nearby piece of land next to their property was graded by a prospective car depot firm to set up a vehicle bonded warehouse.
Letter of the day
EDITOR—In July, I wrote to you about how the residents of Kyambogo Lower Estate were incensed that part of a nearby piece of land next to their property was graded by a prospective car depot firm to set up a vehicle bonded warehouse.
This was done without seeking permission of the affected residents, and that of statutory bodies like NEMA.
Right now, we have another battle on our hands! Even as matters are still in court over that dispute, one of the residents (who was among those aggrieved by that so-called investor’s plans), went right ahead to offer a 25x30-metre portion of his compound, for a 70-metre high mast to be erected in this highly populated area, by a new network, setting it right to two other already existing masts within his immediate neighbourhood, belonging to two of the leading networks in the country.
This new mast, we were told, will be 100% higher than the existing ones!
One begins to wonder why, despite all the many high points in and around Kampala, these people choose to set up these potentially dangerous structures in or around well-planned densely populated residential areas like Kyambogo and Bugolobi! Where is NEMA’s authority in all these matters? Surely, must this project continue as it is, or must we once again go to court over it?
Why should some of our well-educated people (like the owner of this plot who has a doctorate degree), allow such a thing, and in particular, go ahead in complete disregard of the feelings of his fellow residents, who equally own property in this area?
Name withheld
EDITOR—In July, I wrote to you about how the residents of Kyambogo Lower Estate were incensed that part of a nearby piece of land next to their property was graded by a prospective car depot firm to set up a vehicle bonded warehouse.
This was done without seeking permission of the affected residents, and that of statutory bodies like NEMA.
Right now, we have another battle on our hands! Even as matters are still in court over that dispute, one of the residents (who was among those aggrieved by that so-called investor’s plans), went right ahead to offer a 25x30-metre portion of his compound, for a 70-metre high mast to be erected in this highly populated area, by a new network, setting it right to two other already existing masts within his immediate neighbourhood, belonging to two of the leading networks in the country.
This new mast, we were told, will be 100% higher than the existing ones!
One begins to wonder why, despite all the many high points in and around Kampala, these people choose to set up these potentially dangerous structures in or around well-planned densely populated residential areas like Kyambogo and Bugolobi! Where is NEMA’s authority in all these matters? Surely, must this project continue as it is, or must we once again go to court over it?
Why should some of our well-educated people (like the owner of this plot who has a doctorate degree), allow such a thing, and in particular, go ahead in complete disregard of the feelings of his fellow residents, who equally own property in this area?
Name withheld