KCC to use school ground as taxi park

Jan 06, 2009

KAMPALA City Council (KCC) plans to use the Nakivubo Blue Primary School playground for temporary parking as the Old Taxi Park undergoes renovation, the mayor has said.

By Jude Kafuuma

KAMPALA City Council (KCC) plans to use the Nakivubo Blue Primary School playground for temporary parking as the Old Taxi Park undergoes renovation, the mayor has said.

Nasser Sebaggala, said it would be a mistake to close schools considering the increasing population that needs education.

“We are going to repair the park and just like road constructors, we shall divert all taxis to a portion of the primary school until the re-construction work is finished,” Sebaggala said.

But the mayor could not say for how long the school’s playground would be used.

The move has been opposed by some city councillors and the Kampala Central area MP, Erias Lukwago.

When contacted on phone, Lukwago said the decision by Parliament to halt the relocation of Bat Valley Primary School was applicable to other city primary schools.

“I am waiting for Parliament to resume in Febuary so that we move a motion on Nakivubo Blue,” said Lukwago.

The director of education for Kampala district, Annie Galiwango, denied that KCC was allocating the Nakivubo Blue land.

“At this point we can not comprehend a situation where schools are closed to pave way for taxi operators,” said Galiwango.

The school has 900 pupils under the free Universal Primary Education programme.

Galiwango disclosed that Nakivubo Blue, Nakivubo Settlement and Bat Valley primary schools, whose status was still in question, would open like the other schools countrywide for the first term on February 2.

At the close of third term last year, Nakivubo Blue spread out on six hectares of land, had 930 pupils while Nakivubo Settlement that lies on about three hectares, had 285 pupils.

The head teachers of the two Government schools contacted yesterday said they are preparing to open for the first term.

“We have not received any communication and because we do not operate on rumours, we are preparing to open for the first term,” said Lwanga Kizza, the head teacher of Nakivubo Blue.

Nakivubo Blue formally occupied over 18 hectares of land but KCC has over the years allocated most of it to investors and army veterans.

“KCC had earlier targeted the site at Nakivubo Settlement but due to a shortage of about three hectares, it shifted to Nakivubo Blue,” said Vincent Elungat, the head teacher of Nakivubo Settlement.

Two other schools, Nabagereka Primary School and Mbuya Army School are currently facing eviction.

If KCC goes on to demolish the school, Nakivubo Blue will follow Kyaggwe Road and Shimoni Demonstration primary schools that have been relocated in the recent past.

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