UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has launched a thorough investigation into reported plans to sell the land housing Bat Valley Primary School, a venerable public institution in Kampala.
This development has stirred controversy, with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) councillors, led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, vehemently opposing any move to sell or redevelop the school’s land.
The IGG’s intervention, outlined in a letter from Deputy IGG Patricia Achan Okiria, seeks to halt any ongoing sale or redevelopment until investigations are complete.
Bat Valley Primary School, founded in 1938 by the Indian group Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal (SSDM), transitioned into a fully government-managed school in 1964 through parliamentary action.
However, recent attempts to relocate the school and repurpose its land have sparked controversy. Last year, the SSDM, founders, approached the KCCA council with a request to relocate the school, proposing alternative enterprises for the existing location.
The KCCA council initially rebuffed SSDM’s request with a resolution. Still, Lord Mayor Lukwago revealed that there were rumours of the Indian group planning to petition Parliament over the matter, contesting the resolution.
The contentious issue revolves around the ownership and usage of the land, with Parliament previously determining that Bat Valley Primary School should remain a public school without redevelopment.
Despite KCCA’s initial rejection of SSDM’s proposal, doubts persist regarding the actual status of the land. In a December interview, Mr Vaya Raju, the chairperson of SSDM, asserted the association’s ownership of the land under a leasehold tenure, contradicting the parliamentary resolution.
The Kampala Central Division Mayor, Salim Uhuru, added to the complexity by stating that KCCA did not express interest when the lease for the land expired.
The lack of clarity on ownership and conflicting statements contribute to the controversy surrounding Bat Valley School.
Head Teacher James Onyango disclosed that the school’s management has never engaged in discussions about relocating the school with SSDM members.
He expressed surprise at the reports, emphasising that the school management has not made any resolutions on relocation.
The uncertainty surrounding the school’s future has resulted in a decline in student enrollment, from over 800 to 466 by the end of the last academic year.
Notably, Bat Valley Primary School’s land has commercial aspects, including rent payments from Bat Valley Theatre and billboards under school management.
These payments reportedly go to the SSDM group, raising questions about the financial arrangements and contributing to the ongoing controversy.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Ministry of Education proved unsuccessful by press time. The investigation initiated by the IGG reflects the gravity of the situation, as stakeholders seek clarity on the future of Bat Valley Primary School and the utilisation of its historic land.
The coming developments will determine the fate of this educational institution and the preservation of its legacy amid complex ownership and redevelopment disputes.
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