Centenary Park may delay Kampala flyover works

May 23, 2017

KCCA on May 19, held engagements with the relevant stakeholders over the land for the flyover project

The Kampala fly over project is likely to be delayed if Sarah Kizito of Nalongo Estates Ltd fails to vacate Centenary Park to pave way for the projects to kick off along Kitante and Jinja Road.

The projects in question include the reconstruction of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) trunk sewer line and UMEME power station and the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) Kampala flyover project.

The project may stall if Kizito does not pave way by July 2017, according to a statement issued by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

"Government is currently undertaking a number of public works in the city, one such project is the Kampala flyover and road reconstruction of NWSC trunk sewer line and UMEME power station" the statement reads.

It adds that the continued existence of such structures will definitely delay the completion of the work as well as costing government a lot of money in terms of contractors and time extensions.

KCCA on May 19, held engagements with the relevant stakeholders over the land for the flyover project as well as sewerage works and the UMEME substation.

"All these projects affect a portion of the land housing Centenary Park and the agencies have had several engagements regarding the land take, permits, permissions and authorizations as well as how to accommodate the request of extension of the expired subleases by Nalongo Estates and management agreement of Centenary Park," the statement reads in part.

KCCA states that despite the intervention of President Yoweri Museveni, the management of Nalongo Estates has deliberately made it difficult for NWSC to undertake the sewer line construction by not demolishing illegal structures which lie in the way of the planned works corridor.

Recently KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi, told the media that Museveni intervened on the renewal of the sublease to Nalongo and he told KCCA that the reminder of the land be given to Nalongo Estate as well as consider the grant of management agreement to the same company.

Kizito, one of the proprietors of Nalongo Estates told New Vision that Musisi was given a directive by President Museveni to sublease what will remain after the UMEME sub station and NWSC sewer line are carved off.

"The land is about 5 acres, and after the required projects of UMEME and NWSC, what remains is what KCCA is supposed to sublease" Kizito said.

KCCA is the registered owner of the land along Kitante and Jinja roads on which Centenary Park sits and Nalongo Estates was granted a 10-year management contract of the area to among others develop thereon bridal gardens and to maintain the area as a green public open space.

Nalongo also had a five year sublease on two other properties on the fringes of Centenary Park. Both the management agreement over the Centenary Park and the subleases alluded to the above, expired.

In 2012, KCCA having terminated the management agreement took over the Centenary Park but following a court injunction, Nalongo Estates has since remained in possession of the property.

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