UGANDA, Kisenyi | Real Muloodi News | The government has requested tycoon Bosco Muwonge to extend the 10-acre Kisenyi land lease for another four months.
Former street sellers and hawkers who were expelled off the street by city authorities are presently occupying this land.
Ms Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, confirmed on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, that the government is contemplating purchasing the land to permanently accommodate the vendors and hawkers.
Ms Kabanda stated that the land is private property that the government accessed on a two-month lease to secure a workplace for street sellers and hawkers.
She stated that Bosco Muwonge and the government had agreed that the hawkers and sellers would utilise the land between December 2022 and January 2023.
“Right now, we are waiting to listen to the [businessman] to extend the period to at least four months. When we let the street vendors go, we shall find them on the streets. We are still containing the situation as we wait for the extension of the period,” she said.
Ms Kabanda, on the other hand, also stated that the government, through the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), was searching for other options as well.
Background
Ms Kabanda stated on January 5 that they had written to the top government valuer to determine the exact value of the land before any transactions could take place.
“His [Bosco Muwonge] first price was in dollars. I don’t remember the amount, but I think it ranged between Shs100 billion and Shs300 billion. I can’t estimate the value of that land, but I want a reasonable price,” Ms Kabanda said.
She added: “The land was identified by President Museveni who wrote to us to negotiate with him (Bosco Muwonge). We have not yet reached where it will be. We have left it alone and we are going to bring a government valuer to evaluate.”
However, Daily Monitor established that Mr Muwonge is the one who requested USh370 billion from the government for the 10 acres of Kisenyi land.
Kampala Lord Mayor Opposed the Agreement
On January 4, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago opposed the sale, alleging it was a questionable transaction in which the government budgeted $100 million (USh365 billion) to buy land to settle street vendors and claimed it was a scheme to steal taxpayers’ money.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
Turn of Events as Woman Claims Ownership of USh370 Billion Kisenyi Land