Written By | Joshua Nahamya
Jomo Mugabe explaining to loclas in Katete about compnesation issues
Search
Mbarara City
Local leaders and technical officials from Mbarara City have intensified sensitization efforts in the South Division, urging residents to voluntarily donate land for the upcoming Uganda Cities Municipal Infrastructure Development (UCMID) program.
During a high-stakes meeting held at Katete Primary School on February 7, the City Physical Planner, Carol Warugaba, informed stakeholders that the World Bank-funded project aims to upgrade 19 kilometers of roads across the North and South divisions. However, she emphasized that the project includes no budget for compensation.
“The purpose of this meeting is to request affected stakeholders to donate a small portion of their land since we need a standard road of 17 meters,” Warugaba explained. “There won’t be any form of compensation; it must be done voluntarily.”
Leaders addressing locals on the forthcoming road project
Warugaba highlighted a stark contrast in cooperation between the two divisions, noting that North Division residents have been more willing to provide land.
“In the North, people gave us land and consented. When the World Bank advertises, North will be the first to be considered because South Division still has issues with compensation," Warugaba noted. "This road development is benefiting you as individuals of Nyamitanga and all the people of Mbarara City. Let’s all comply.”
Addressing concerns about structural impacts, Warugaba warned that illegal structures encroaching on road reserves would be demolished.
“There are some who will be demolished. Before we do that, we shall ask: do you have a building plan?” she reported. “The fact that you need these roads means you must stop constructing illegal structures. A person starts constructing on Friday and by Monday they have already entered the house, yet they are in the road.”
Meeting landlords and other stakeholders in Katete-Nyamitanga about the forthcoming UCMID road programme
The Deputy Mayor, Priscah Murongo, addressed technical fears regarding the concurrent River Kagera water project, which saw pipes laid along the same routes.
“The road we want, and the water we want. We could not stop the President’s project because of the road rehabilitation plan that had not come,” Murongo told the gathering. “Don't lose hope; consultants will first assess whether the road can pass on top of those pipes. We accepted the project as leaders knowing the city needs both water and roads to boom economically.”
Mbarara City South Division Mayor, Jomo Mugabe, took a blunt tone with residents, expressing frustration over the resistance to development.
“I am just a mayor for one term; I will go back to Rukindo. It’s you who will remain here with dust and your grief,” Mugabe said. “It’s very annoying to see me coming to plead, even kneel for you, to accept a tarmacked road. What happened to an African?”
Meeting locals in Nyamitanga about UCMID program
Mugabe warned that the South Division risked losing its share of the project to the North if the “scuffle” over land continued.
“All these roads might go to the North Division because there is no scuffle there. The only thing that can help you here in Nyamitanga is this tarmacked road. We lobbied for it, but we are on the thread to lose it," Mugabe added.
“I will not hide you like politicians our road in Katete that one coming from Vision empire, it’s also on the thread of being lost, they were going to work on it and even the bridge to flash but you know better that in the road, we put their big water pipes, so they are now going to measure to know whether they will cause any effect, and if they find that it will cause any challenge we shall also miss on rehabilitation of that road to Katete I am telling you the reality the truth.” Mugabe said.
Priscah Murongo, Deputy Mayor Mbarara City
The meeting concluded with a call for landlords to meet with surveyors on Monday to sign consent forms, with officials reminding residents that a standard road with parking would significantly increase their land value and commercial prospects.
“As a physical planner I am here pleading, but what I am sure of, once we commission this road project here, all your land value will increase.” Warugaba said
Some of the roads to be rehabilited in UCMID programme Phase 1 include; Hajj Asiimani-Matovu road, Kitebero road, Karugangama, Kashanyarazi, Kijungu lane among many others.
Torch Media Africa
