Clock at Queen's way tower goes missing

By Henry Mukasa and Mary Karugaba

The monumental clock that once graced the tower at Queen's way in Kampala has gone missing for one year, Parliament heard Tuesday.

Bunya East MP Waira Majegere who rose on "a matter on national importance" said that the disappearance of the close highlights the disregard of national monuments and the nation's poorly preserved history.

"The clock tower is now in words. The clock was taken and we are told that it is hanging in the house of one of the KCCA officials. The clock must be returned. Whatever the beautification done history should be preserved," Majegere stated.

The comment attracted muted laughter and murmurs from MPs who had initially sneered when he raised the matter. Some mockingly pointed at the VIP gallery where the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, who had come to witness the swearing-in of Bushenyi-Ishaka MP, Odo Tayebwa (FDC) was seated. Lukwago, beaming with laughter, appeared to savour the moment and waged his index finger in protest.

Outside parliament, Lukwago the former Kampala Central MP pointed out that the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) which he chairs had also raised the matter with the city Executive Director, Jeniffer Musisi. "We also voiced the issue in the authority meeting. The Executive Director said there is a private company level 'A' which partnered with her office to renovate the place," Lukwago said.

"The authority is not aware of the whereabouts of the clock and the said company has never signed an agreement with KCCA," he added.

Two telcom companies; Warid and Orange have refurbished Clock tower; the former branding the tower with its colours while the later installed a fountain and renamed the place Orange Uganda clock tower.

Kampala Woman MP, Nabilah Sempala observed that whenever there are renovations, new structures or transfer with the city little attention is paid to the preservation of history. She said the clock would help people stuck in traffic jam along Queensway to tell the time. "Where is the clock anyway," she asked.

The Acting Minister for the Presidency which is in charge of Kampala, Henry Banyenzaki said he would investigate and report to the House. "Even if it was obsolete it would have been taken to the museum," Banyenzaki said.

Queen's Clock Tower on Entebbe Road built was in memory of Queen Elizabeth II following her first visit to Uganda from April 28-30, 1954 to open the Owen Falls dam, renamed Nalubaale, in Jinja district in Eastern Uganda. It's during this visit that this monument at the gateway of Kampala city to Entebbe airport, was built in commemoration.