Developer, NHCC Locked In Bugolobi Flats Row

By A. G. Musumali A PRIVATE developer has bought and fenced off a large piece of land, Plot M597, located in the middle of Bugolobi Flats which belong to National Housing and Construction Corporation (NH&CC). The developer, Silver Byaruhanga, Managing Director of Chemical Distributors (U) Ltd, is claiming ownership of the plot which he says they acquired in 1984 from Kampala City Council (KCC). NH&CC insists it should have been given first opportunity to buy the strategic piece of land. Bugolobi Estate was built between 1969 and 1971. The plot is now at the centre of a row between NH&CC, KCC, Bugolobi Flats residents and the developer. The controversial plot is bordered by Blocks 7 to 10 in the west, and 11 to 17 in the east while to the north is St. Kizito Primary School. The 1.5 acre plot has on it a public toilet used by workers of NH&CC. Six markings of building foundations have already been made on the ground. Byamugisha told The New Vision yesterday that they intended to build 6 modern 4-storeyed blocks of flats for rent on the plot. "We originally wanted to build a tailoring school and a students' hostel but the LCs of the area objected, saying that we were going to spoil the atmosphere of the residential area, so we changed plans," said Byaruhanga. Charles Darlton Opwonya, a lawyer and LC1 chairman of Blocks 1-9 said there was no doubt about the land having been legally sold to Byaruhanga's group. He said NH&CC was waking up too late to realise that they should have done something about it earlier. "The law does not work like that," said Opwonya. But Jasi Karamagi, the LC chairman of Blocks 10-16 dismissed Opwonya as not having adequate stake in the issue. Karamagi said Opwonya does not live in the flats any longer and cannot, therefore, claim to talk on behalf of the community. He said the children in the flats need a playground, and that the environment needs a greenbelt somewhere. He said it would, therefore, be in the interest of the residents if a political rather than a legal channel was used to convince Byaruhanga to abandon their plans on the plot. He condemned KCC for the unplanned developments and said KCC allocated plots around the flats without planning for access roads. NH&CC has blocked access to the residence of a developer. KCC gave land without proper plan. Ends