Buganda considers allocating Kigo prisons land to manufactures

By Prossy Nandudu

Buganda Kingdom is considering allocating Kigo prisons land to Uganda Manufacturing Association (UMA) for an industrial park, the Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has said.  

“The industrial sector is crucial for job creation. Buganda has enough land, in this case Kigo prison land would be suitable for an industrial park, but we will have to discuss further,” Mayiga said.

The Katikkiro was responding to a request from manufacturers for more land to increase production for the growing demand of Ugandan commodities both local and regional market.

Buganda kingdom owns the 328.6 acre-land on which the prison is located also housing the Kigo farm and other new structures that include a school and accommodation facilities of Prison warders. It is located on Kyadondo Block 273 plot 38.

Mengo establishment battled with the Government over the return of Kigo prison. Court ordered the Government to pay sh11.5bn to Mengo for utilizing the facility since 1993.

The prison was built by Sir Edward Muteesa II, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s father, in 1952. The kingdom properties were grabbed by the Milton Obote regime after abrogating the constitution in 1966.

Mayiga said that once more industries are set up in Uganda; more jobs will be created for majority of the youth who are unemployed.

He made the remarks while receiving a check worth sh50m from the Uganda Manufacturer’s Association (UMA) towards the reconstruction of Kasubi tombs that were torched four years ago.

UMA chairman, Amos Nzeyi, said that there is a growing demand for Ugandan commodities from neighboring countries hence the need for more land for manufacturing.

“Before war broke out in South Sudan, most of our commodities were heading there in addition to DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi so we have to manufacture more for home and regional consumption,” explained Nzeyi.