Property Developers in Hoima, Fort Portal Decline to Giveway to USMID Project
Written by admin on August 25, 2022
Road construction works ongoing along Mandela-Sir Tito winy-Kasasa road.This is one of the roads under USMID.Photo by Emmanuel Okello.
The construction of roads in Fort Portal and Hoima City under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development-USMID program hangs in balance because of the refusal of private developers to give way for the road works.
In February, Hoima city with funding from USMID phase 1 embarked on the process of tarmacking 4.28 km of roads within the city center. The contract for the 30 billion Shillings project was awarded to China Railway 18th Group Limited. The road construction will last for a period of 18 months.
The roads are Percy, Commercial, government, Bikunya, Tank hill, Tayari-Crown-Eka and Mandela-Sir Tito winy-Kasasa.
Currently works like widening of the roads, light grading and opening up of drainage structures, offshoots, drainage drifts, filling potholes, and clearing of top soils are ongoing in some parts of the road project.
However, most landlords with houses constructed along the roads are demanding compensation.
Sylvia Nalumaga, the Hoima City Deputy Mayor says that under the USMID project, there is no component of compensation.
She is concerned that the actions of the developers could stall the project.
Edward Kyaligonza, the Hoima City Council Speaker says that they will meet the landlords to ensure that the road construction project goes on without any interference.
Iddi Magezi, a Councilor representing the Hoima East division wants all efforts put in place to compel the property developers to allow the project to go through their areas since it is for the benefit and beautification of Hoima city.
Mary Ruberantwale, one of the property developers accused of frustrating the progress of the multi-billion project says she was not involved right from the commencement of the project.
In Fort Portal, the rehabilitation of Millane, Kabundaire Water supply, and Mugoma-Kahungabunyonyi roads at a cost of 20 Billion Shillings have stalled after one private developer sued the city authorities for threatening to destroy part of his house and grabbing part of his land.
Fort Portal City Council signed a contract with China Railway No 18 to work on the roads for 6 months, but China Railway No 18 sub-contracted Global 21st Century Limited” to clear the ground for the works.
Rogers Irumba, one of the private developers says that his land is titled and has never been approached by the city authorities seeking his content to use part of his property.
Another landlord, Hamza Ali Mugisal along the Mugoma Kahungabunyonyi road says that whereas some residents have been compensated, he was not approached for consent to use part of the land.
Edson Asaba Ruyonga the Fort Portal City Mayor says that the decision by the affected property owners not to cooperate with the City is a threat to the multi-billion infrastructural development,