MP Lukwago protests sale of city road
KAMPALA Central MP Erias Lukwago has written to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), seeking an explanation over the alleged sale of part of Muwafu Road, off Yusuf Lule in Nakasero.
By Madinah Tebajjukira and Juliet Waiswa
KAMPALA Central MP Erias Lukwago has written to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), seeking an explanation over the alleged sale of part of Muwafu Road, off Yusuf Lule in Nakasero.
The contested part is adjacent to the Italian embassy, located on Lourdel Road. Muwafu road stretches up to All Saints Cathedral.
Early last month, unknown persons fenced off the road junction and bordering plots, allegedly to make way for the construction of a commercial building, drawing public outcry.
In a letter dated August 31, Lukwago wants the roads authority to explain whether it sanctioned the sale.
He also wants to know whether the sale was in line with the mandate of UNRA, especially in light of the current road network and traffic congestion in the city.
The Roads Act 2000 provides that nobody shall erect a building or plant trees or permanent crops within a road reserve except with the written permission of the Road Authority.
He argued that UNRA’s primary role is to create an environment that is conducive to the efficient management of the national road network, he argued.
Its mandate is also to develop and maintain a road network that meets the economic needs of Uganda, the safety of all road users and the environmental sustainability of the national roads corridors.
Lukwago’s letter, copied to the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the works minister, also wants to know the particulars of the investor and the investment plan.
He also asked if the line minister, the town and country planning board approved the change, as required under the law.
“I seek to know whether the investor secured a hoarding permit from KCC before cordoning off the road, and whether the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority was involved in all the transactions as required.â€
On Monday, the Kampala city planner, Charles Kyamanywa, told a council meeting that KCC had not sanctioned any works on the road. He claimed that the Uganda Land Commission owns the one acre plot on the roadside and that the lands ministry plans to construct a land information system centre on the disputed site. He denied KCC was involved in the transaction.
However, the chairman of the Uganda Land Commission, Mayanja Nkangi, told The New Vision yesterday he was not aware of the transaction.
Urban Tibamanya, the Minister of State for Urban Development, also expressed ignorance. “I’m not aware of any development by my ministry on that road. I received a letter from some concerned MPs and have since asked my director in charge of construction to give a report on that land.â€
Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala last week said KCC sold the land as a way of redeveloping the city and creating more jobs. He did not name the buyer.
Under the plan submitted to KCC, Sebaggala said, the developers are to put up a building comprising an office block, apartments and parking area. He said KCC would divert the road.
KAMPALA Central MP Erias Lukwago has written to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), seeking an explanation over the alleged sale of part of Muwafu Road, off Yusuf Lule in Nakasero.
The contested part is adjacent to the Italian embassy, located on Lourdel Road. Muwafu road stretches up to All Saints Cathedral.
Early last month, unknown persons fenced off the road junction and bordering plots, allegedly to make way for the construction of a commercial building, drawing public outcry.
In a letter dated August 31, Lukwago wants the roads authority to explain whether it sanctioned the sale.
He also wants to know whether the sale was in line with the mandate of UNRA, especially in light of the current road network and traffic congestion in the city.
The Roads Act 2000 provides that nobody shall erect a building or plant trees or permanent crops within a road reserve except with the written permission of the Road Authority.
He argued that UNRA’s primary role is to create an environment that is conducive to the efficient management of the national road network, he argued.
Its mandate is also to develop and maintain a road network that meets the economic needs of Uganda, the safety of all road users and the environmental sustainability of the national roads corridors.
Lukwago’s letter, copied to the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the works minister, also wants to know the particulars of the investor and the investment plan.
He also asked if the line minister, the town and country planning board approved the change, as required under the law.
“I seek to know whether the investor secured a hoarding permit from KCC before cordoning off the road, and whether the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority was involved in all the transactions as required.â€
On Monday, the Kampala city planner, Charles Kyamanywa, told a council meeting that KCC had not sanctioned any works on the road. He claimed that the Uganda Land Commission owns the one acre plot on the roadside and that the lands ministry plans to construct a land information system centre on the disputed site. He denied KCC was involved in the transaction.
However, the chairman of the Uganda Land Commission, Mayanja Nkangi, told The New Vision yesterday he was not aware of the transaction.
Urban Tibamanya, the Minister of State for Urban Development, also expressed ignorance. “I’m not aware of any development by my ministry on that road. I received a letter from some concerned MPs and have since asked my director in charge of construction to give a report on that land.â€
Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala last week said KCC sold the land as a way of redeveloping the city and creating more jobs. He did not name the buyer.
Under the plan submitted to KCC, Sebaggala said, the developers are to put up a building comprising an office block, apartments and parking area. He said KCC would divert the road.