Indian club demands Jinja stadium land

Dec 28, 2009

THE Indian Association of Uganda has given Jinja municipal council up to January 4, to vacate land on plots 17 to 27 Gabula Road on which Kakindu Community Centre is located.

By Charles Kakamwa

THE Indian Association of Uganda has given Jinja municipal council up to January 4, to vacate land on plots 17 to 27 Gabula Road on which Kakindu Community Centre is located.

The land, situated in the town centre, also houses the Jinja Central Division offices, a volleyball court, Kakindu Club house and Kakindu Stadium.

In a December 21 letter to the town clerk, David Bashakara and the LC3 chairperson, Mubarak Kirunda, the chairman of the board of trustees of the Indian Recreation Club, Rajni Tailor, said the move was a result of the Jinja High Court ruling of 2004, which authorised them to repossess the property.

“We are aware that Jinja municipal council made developments on the property, including renovation of the original buildings and construction of an office block. We request to have a meeting with you and all stakeholders to resolve all pending issues,” Tailor said in the letter copied to the district chairperson, Hannington Basakana, mayor Baswale Kezaala, the district secretary of the land board and the district Police commander.

He added that they had plans to rehabilitate the stadium to international standards and to establish a soccer academy.

“With effect from January 2010, the stadium will be available to be utilised by all interested parties upon application to the Indian Recreation Club, which will be run by the Indian Association of Uganda.”

“There will be no restrictions on usage, provided proper application is made and the requisite fees are paid,” Tailor added.

However, Kirunda said the move was a plan by the Indian community to grab Kakindu complex, adding that the council would appeal in the Supreme Court.

“The court ruled in their favour but we shall challenge the ruling. The Indians do not have documents to prove ownership of this property,” he said at a recent press conference.

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