UGANDA, Luzira | Real Muloodi News | President Museveni has given his approval to a proposal by the Chinese Tian Tang Group to repurpose Luzira Prison into a luxurious five-star hotel, as confirmed by the presidency on Saturday 24th February, 2024.
The decision stems from a directive issued by President Museveni in a letter dated July 10, 2022, addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire.
In the letter, President Museveni expressed his full support for the proposal put forth by Tian Tang Group to redevelop Luzira Prison into a high-end hotel and conference centre while relocating the prison facilities to another site identified by the government.
“I have received a letter from Tian Tang Group proposing to re-develop the Luzira Prison into a five-star Hotel, with a conference center- and relocate the prison, at their cost, to another place in the interior on a land identified by the government,” wrote President Museveni, emphasising his endorsement of the initiative.
In response to the presidential directive, Minister Otafiire initiated negotiations with the Tian Tang Group, aiming to advance the proposed redevelopment plan.
The Uganda Prisons Service has identified a parcel of land measuring 3.5 square miles in Buikwe District, with plans to acquire 1 square mile for the relocation of the prison facilities.
A letter sent by Maj Gen Otafiire to the Attorney General on February 22 outlined the need for a consultative meeting scheduled for early March to discuss the legal aspects of acquiring the identified land.
The meeting, which will involve representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Attorney General’s office, and the Administrator General, seeks to address legal challenges related to land ownership and acquisition.
The proposed relocation of Luzira Prison raises legal complexities, particularly concerning the acquisition of land from the family members of the late Antonio Lutwama Kabogoza, who owned the identified land.
Despite the absence of letters of administration since Antonio Lutwama Kabogoza’s passing in 1928, the family has expressed willingness to sell a portion of the land to the Uganda Prisons Service for the relocation project.
Maj Gen Otafiire highlighted the legal impasse surrounding the processing of letters of administration for the old Buganda estates, underscoring the need to explore alternative avenues for land acquisition.
While the family members have not obtained formal letters of administration, legal counsel suggests that they can still sell their interests in the land to facilitate the relocation of Luzira Prison.
If realised, the implementation of the presidential directive would mark the end of Luzira Prison’s existence at its current location along the shores of Lake Victoria, where it has been operational since its establishment in 1927.
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