ULC defends Butabika land sell
Dec 06, 2006
THE Uganda Land Commission (ULC) has defended the sale of the land that formerly belonged to Butabika Hospital to developers.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE Uganda Land Commission (ULC) has defended the sale of the land that formerly belonged to Butabika Hospital to developers.
The ULC denied any irregular or dubious dealings while allocating the land, saying the body was not influenced by applicants.
Addressing journalists in Kampala yesterday, the ULC chairman, Mayanja Nkangi, said the Constitution allows the commission to sell or lease the land they hold.
“The issue of this land was first raised with the commission by the then minister of lands Kahinda Otafiire. He was reportedly approached by some investors who wanted to build an ultra modern hospital and offer it as a gift to the Ugandan Government,†Nkangi said.
He said Otafiire wanted the commission to grant 400 acres to the investor and two others - Property Services Ltd and Mukwano Industries.
“A series of meetings were held thereafter involving officials from the ministries of health and lands, as well as the commission and Butabika Hospital.
“The final decision made was that Butabika acquires only 300 acres, three times the size of Mulago. The rest of the land was thus recommended for parceling and leasing to developers.
“When the commission proceeded to deal with the land in the manner it did, it was carrying out a policy directive, which clearly stated that the land required by the Government was 300 acres,†Nkangi said.
He said the commission allocated the land to people and investors whose applications had been submitted to it.
He defended the allocation of the land to members of the First Family, saying their applications had to be treated equally.
“Every Ugandan and non-Ugandan investors are legible for allocation of land for development.
“The commission has not come across any legislation that bars members of the First Family from acquiring land from the commission.
“In its dealings, the commission does not discriminate against any applicant,†he said.
He said the commission gave a five-year initial lease to the First Son-in-law, Edwin Karugire. NKangi said the lease would be extended for 99 years.
THE Uganda Land Commission (ULC) has defended the sale of the land that formerly belonged to Butabika Hospital to developers.
The ULC denied any irregular or dubious dealings while allocating the land, saying the body was not influenced by applicants.
Addressing journalists in Kampala yesterday, the ULC chairman, Mayanja Nkangi, said the Constitution allows the commission to sell or lease the land they hold.
“The issue of this land was first raised with the commission by the then minister of lands Kahinda Otafiire. He was reportedly approached by some investors who wanted to build an ultra modern hospital and offer it as a gift to the Ugandan Government,†Nkangi said.
He said Otafiire wanted the commission to grant 400 acres to the investor and two others - Property Services Ltd and Mukwano Industries.
“A series of meetings were held thereafter involving officials from the ministries of health and lands, as well as the commission and Butabika Hospital.
“The final decision made was that Butabika acquires only 300 acres, three times the size of Mulago. The rest of the land was thus recommended for parceling and leasing to developers.
“When the commission proceeded to deal with the land in the manner it did, it was carrying out a policy directive, which clearly stated that the land required by the Government was 300 acres,†Nkangi said.
He said the commission allocated the land to people and investors whose applications had been submitted to it.
He defended the allocation of the land to members of the First Family, saying their applications had to be treated equally.
“Every Ugandan and non-Ugandan investors are legible for allocation of land for development.
“The commission has not come across any legislation that bars members of the First Family from acquiring land from the commission.
“In its dealings, the commission does not discriminate against any applicant,†he said.
He said the commission gave a five-year initial lease to the First Son-in-law, Edwin Karugire. NKangi said the lease would be extended for 99 years.