Govt takes over city mayor’s residence
Jun 30, 2008
THE Government has taken over the Kampala mayor’s official residence citing security reasons. The double-storey building in Kololo, an affluent residential area, is currently occupied by eight junior KCC staff like drivers and guards.
By Florence Nakaayi
THE Government has taken over the Kampala mayor’s official residence citing security reasons.
The mayor, Nasser Sebaggala yesterday confirmed the takeover, saying Kampala City Council no longer had authority over the dilapidated premises.
The double-storey building in Kololo, an affluent residential area, is currently occupied by eight junior KCC staff like drivers and guards.
Sebaggala said the employees would be transferred elsewhere although the workers, who yesterday confirmed to The New Vision that they had been given notice to vacate, said they were not given alternative accommodation.
According to Sebaggala, the council had not discussed or passed a resolution over the Kololo house.
“Sometimes we do not have control over Government decisions. Though the premises belonged to us, the Government wanted it for security reasons.â€
Earlier, in a letter of March 26, the local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, had asked the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, to surrender the premises to Gen. David Tinyefuza.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to ask you to ensure that this property is given to Gen. David Tinyefuza for security reasons,†said Otafiire.
Tinyefuza, who is the coordinator of intelligence agencies, could not be reached for comment.
The mayor has another official residence on Sezibwa Road in Nakasero, another city suburb.
The double-storey house, opposite Kampala Club, was used by the former town clerk, James Ssegane, as his residence.
Sebaggala last year moved into the premises, which he transformed into his office, pending the renovation of the official mayor’s office at City Hall.
For decades, almost all the recent Kampala mayors have lived in private homes.
THE Government has taken over the Kampala mayor’s official residence citing security reasons.
The mayor, Nasser Sebaggala yesterday confirmed the takeover, saying Kampala City Council no longer had authority over the dilapidated premises.
The double-storey building in Kololo, an affluent residential area, is currently occupied by eight junior KCC staff like drivers and guards.
Sebaggala said the employees would be transferred elsewhere although the workers, who yesterday confirmed to The New Vision that they had been given notice to vacate, said they were not given alternative accommodation.
According to Sebaggala, the council had not discussed or passed a resolution over the Kololo house.
“Sometimes we do not have control over Government decisions. Though the premises belonged to us, the Government wanted it for security reasons.â€
Earlier, in a letter of March 26, the local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, had asked the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, to surrender the premises to Gen. David Tinyefuza.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to ask you to ensure that this property is given to Gen. David Tinyefuza for security reasons,†said Otafiire.
Tinyefuza, who is the coordinator of intelligence agencies, could not be reached for comment.
The mayor has another official residence on Sezibwa Road in Nakasero, another city suburb.
The double-storey house, opposite Kampala Club, was used by the former town clerk, James Ssegane, as his residence.
Sebaggala last year moved into the premises, which he transformed into his office, pending the renovation of the official mayor’s office at City Hall.
For decades, almost all the recent Kampala mayors have lived in private homes.