Kampala
  03/09/07
 
STATE HOUSE NEIGHBOURS IN ENTEBBE ARE TO BE EVICTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

By Leo Odera Omolo

Owners of properties that are adjacent to the perimeters fence of State House in Uganda’s official capital of Entebbe have been ordered to vacate before the end of this month.

Ministry of Works officials, Entebbe Municipal Council, the Presidential Guard Brigade, declined to discuss the matter with newsmen though they had a crucial meeting with stakeholders the previous week.

But they readily disclosed that the Permanent Secretary in the Works Ministry Charles Muganzi was the only one authorized to talk to the press. But the Ps could not be reached immediately for his comment over the issue.

Last weekend, the Ugandan Minister for Transport and Communication John Nasasira vaguely admitted that he was aware there is something to that effect, but ‘’I do not know how far they (the Ministry’s technical people) have gone.

Works Ministry official, Entebbe Municipal Council, the Presidential Guard Brigade had earlier in the week held a meeting with the government valuer and the property owners during which they discussed the modes of compensation.

A source in Entebbe confided to us that the parties had reached ‘’a good compromise.’’ document seen by journalist, however, show that Entebbe (Grade A) Hospital is also affected, as well as the Uganda Red Cross Society, the recently renovated High Court building, and a bungalow opposite the main gate to State House reportedly owned by Maj. General Ali Kiiza, the Presidential pilot is also affected Maj. General Kiiza is reported to have attended last week meeting.

According to an impeccable source, the Ugandan Government promised verbally to pay 30 per cent above the value of the property as compensation for the short notice. The owners are, however, asking for 50 per cent above the value of the property at the current market value.

The owners of the affected property also want a written confirmation of the eviction. Some property owners are in addition demanding that the government first compensate them for the property they lost when State House was expanded in 1988.

In July this year the Weekly New Version had reported exclusively that the residents were due for eviction. State House, however, quickly refuted the allegations.

Last week Maj. Gen. Kiiza whose some of his tenants are United Nations Staff said the land lords were annoyed that they were being given such short notice after a State House assurance.

The property owners are given up to 30th September 2007.

On May 3rd the Ps Charles Muganzi in a letter to Entebbe Town Clerk categorized the targeted structures as those that are too dilapidated and unfit for human habitation others that are the nature of their building materials unbefitting to be in the prime area and those that have unkempt compounds or are a security risk.

The letter was copied to State House Controller, Ps Ministry of Health, Ps Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Director National Meteorological Training School.

The eviction has so far elicited a lot of controversies.

Ends.
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com