Mengo claims Nabagereka school land
Jan 08, 2008
THE Buganda Land Board has claimed ownership of the land occupied by Nabagereka Primary School and its Kisenyi neighbourhoods.
By Geresom Musamali,
Paul Kiwuuwa and Florence Nakayi
THE Buganda Land Board has claimed ownership of the land occupied by Nabagereka Primary School and its Kisenyi neighbourhoods.
Gaster Mugoya Kyawa, a private developer, wants to evict sitting tenants in plots the school says it owns.
The school, named after the Buganda queen, was until last year using parts of the land as playgrounds and renting out other plots to small business enterprises.
The New Vision reported yesterday that the enterprises had, in a notice copied to the school, been given up to January 14 to vacate the plots along Mwanga II Road in Mengo, Kampala.
However, Kyewalabye Male, the executive secretary of the land board yesterday said Mugoya is thinking wishfully.
“We have the title to that land. There is no way he can take possession of it.â€
Kyewalabye added that the land belongs to the Kabaka.
“There is no way any one could claim the Kabaka’s land. The developer bought hot air and Buganda will battle the case in court,†he said.
Three washing bays, four grain millers, four motor vehicle garages, a goats’ trade market, and several artisans who deal in scrap metal are among the affected businesses.
Kampala Central Division Chairman Amooti Nyakaana reportedly wrote to Nabagereka school head teacher George William Mukiibi in February last year warning him against allocating parts of the land to businesses.
Mukiibi yesterday said the division has since been collecting rent and taxing the enterprises on the land. Mugoya yesterday again declined to reveal the ‘registered former proprietor’ from whom he bought the plots.
He added that nothing would stop him from developing the land. Mugoya claimed that all area local leaders back the development and accused Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago of trying to politicize the matter.
Lukwago insists that the 350-pupil school is one of the very few remaining Universal Primary Education institutions in the city centre and should not be lost.
State minister for primary education, Peter Lokeris last year asked Kampala City Council (KCC) to stop the sale or transfer of any land used by UPE affiliated schools.
In a recent letter to the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, the minister asked KCC not to renew the leases of school land to private developers but rather repossess the land after the expiry of the leases. The Asian community of Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal wants to repossess their land housing Bat Valley Primary School.
Shimoni Teachers Training College was transferred to Mbale while Shimoni Primary School was moved to Kololo.
Part of Kitante Primary School has also been allocated to investors. But some of the investors are yet to put the land to use
The land occupied by Kyaggwe Road Primary School was bought off by Mukwano Enterprises. The Army Primary School in Mbuya is also due for relocation.
Nyakaana said he was not aware of the sale of the school land.
He added that Mukiibi is employed as an academician and should not involve himself in allocating land.
Paul Kiwuuwa and Florence Nakayi
THE Buganda Land Board has claimed ownership of the land occupied by Nabagereka Primary School and its Kisenyi neighbourhoods.
Gaster Mugoya Kyawa, a private developer, wants to evict sitting tenants in plots the school says it owns.
The school, named after the Buganda queen, was until last year using parts of the land as playgrounds and renting out other plots to small business enterprises.
The New Vision reported yesterday that the enterprises had, in a notice copied to the school, been given up to January 14 to vacate the plots along Mwanga II Road in Mengo, Kampala.
However, Kyewalabye Male, the executive secretary of the land board yesterday said Mugoya is thinking wishfully.
“We have the title to that land. There is no way he can take possession of it.â€
Kyewalabye added that the land belongs to the Kabaka.
“There is no way any one could claim the Kabaka’s land. The developer bought hot air and Buganda will battle the case in court,†he said.
Three washing bays, four grain millers, four motor vehicle garages, a goats’ trade market, and several artisans who deal in scrap metal are among the affected businesses.
Kampala Central Division Chairman Amooti Nyakaana reportedly wrote to Nabagereka school head teacher George William Mukiibi in February last year warning him against allocating parts of the land to businesses.
Mukiibi yesterday said the division has since been collecting rent and taxing the enterprises on the land. Mugoya yesterday again declined to reveal the ‘registered former proprietor’ from whom he bought the plots.
He added that nothing would stop him from developing the land. Mugoya claimed that all area local leaders back the development and accused Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago of trying to politicize the matter.
Lukwago insists that the 350-pupil school is one of the very few remaining Universal Primary Education institutions in the city centre and should not be lost.
State minister for primary education, Peter Lokeris last year asked Kampala City Council (KCC) to stop the sale or transfer of any land used by UPE affiliated schools.
In a recent letter to the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, the minister asked KCC not to renew the leases of school land to private developers but rather repossess the land after the expiry of the leases. The Asian community of Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal wants to repossess their land housing Bat Valley Primary School.
Shimoni Teachers Training College was transferred to Mbale while Shimoni Primary School was moved to Kololo.
Part of Kitante Primary School has also been allocated to investors. But some of the investors are yet to put the land to use
The land occupied by Kyaggwe Road Primary School was bought off by Mukwano Enterprises. The Army Primary School in Mbuya is also due for relocation.
Nyakaana said he was not aware of the sale of the school land.
He added that Mukiibi is employed as an academician and should not involve himself in allocating land.