Allow Lugogo Development

THE MINISTER of Local Government, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, has disallowed the planned construction of a multi-million supermarket by South African Shoprite Checkers at Lugogo despite a go-ahead by the Kampala City Council (KCC). The Minister has argued that the area is designated to be a green-belt meant for sports facilities. Apart from the Indoor Stadium, Lugogo also has four soccer pitches, and two rugby fields. All the soccer fields are in a sorry state, bush and a haven of thieves and rapists at night.Shoprite wants to invest $13m in the shopping mall and a further sh600m redeveloping the soccer fields and lighting up the whole place up to Naguru.Bidandi Ssali’s concerns would be understandable if the developer was to do away with the sports facilities available. On the contrary, the developer will add value to the area. It is neither patriotic nor proper to delay an investor over flimsy reasons. Such an investment means more jobs, more taxes, more facilities for shoppers and sports people. Currently there is no value, no jobs, and no taxes accruing from the overgrown bushes at Lugogo. Bidandi Ssali should drop his objection to the development. Ugandans should by now have learnt the futility of local politics frustrating investors. Uganda Airlines collapsed because MPs opposed its sale to South African Airlines, and Bujagali Power Project by AES Nile Power faced a lot of unnecessary opposition from local politics and environmentalists.It is the greater good that matters at the end of the day. A modern shopping mall and better sports facilities are a better deal than a bushy Lugogo. The Minister should reconsider his position.Ends