Published on 25/06/2025
Parliament has approved a proposal by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to lease out prime pieces of land in Lugogo and Kamwokya to raise revenue for the Authority, despite objections from Members of Parliament (MPs) who argued that the Council had not sanctioned the move.
The decision was made during Tuesday’s plenary sitting after Kabuye Kyofatogabye, Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, tabled before the House valuation reports and clearances from the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Finance. These were among the requirements Parliament had earlier set before approving two previously rejected land lease requests.
However, the presentation was met with resistance from Tororo Woman MP, Sarah Opendi, who questioned the absence of a resolution from the KCCA Council, the organ mandated to initiate such transactions.
“I recall seeing a letter from the Speaker of the Council stating that the Council had not discussed the disposal of these properties,” said Opendi. “Would it not be proper and procedural for the Minister to also present a resolution by the Council before Parliament proceeds with approval? Otherwise, this House risks being used to rubber-stamp decisions driven by personal interests.”
Her concerns were echoed by Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who stressed the need for legal and procedural rigor, especially on matters involving public assets.
“According to KCCA’s land use and management policy, Council must first authorise any lease or disposal by resolution,” Ssenyonyi argued. “There was no such resolution the last time this came up, and even now, one hasn’t been presented. Parliament must ensure that all properties under consideration—those already approved and the new ones—are backed by a proper Council resolution.”
Ssenyonyi referenced a letter he claimed was from the Council Speaker, confirming that no such resolution had been passed authorising the Executive Director to proceed with the land leases.
Despite the concerns, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa overruled the objections, citing Section 34(6) of the Public Finance Management Act, which mandates only parliamentary approval—not that of a local government—for such leases.
“The law is clear: Parliament must pass the resolution. It does not require any institutional policy or Council resolution,” Tayebwa said. “If due process isn’t followed, the Solicitor General will reject it. But our legal mandate here is parliamentary approval.”
Tayebwa added that the matter had previously been thoroughly debated and that Parliament had directed KCCA to expedite the submission of valuation reports and clearances—which the Minister had now fulfilled. He then called a vote. Although the nays appeared louder, Tayebwa ruled that the ayes had carried the day.
Ministry Officials Deny Knowledge of Land Giveaway
Earlier in the day, before the plenary session, Monica Edemachu, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and denied any knowledge of KCCA seeking parliamentary approval to lease two prime land parcels—one earmarked for youth development—to private investors.
“The Ministry has no mandate to allocate land; that’s KCCA’s domain,” said Edemachu. “We only play an oversight role. The matter you’re raising is new to me, and I’ll need more information on the board that allocated the land.”
But Butambala County MP and PAC Chairperson Muwanga Kivumbi criticised Edemachu’s response, saying the Ministry had failed in its oversight responsibility.
“You can’t say you’re unaware,” Kivumbi retorted. “The Ministry is charged with planning and development oversight. You were here in Parliament when you brought the lease approvals, including land meant for youth centres. Instead of implementing the Kampala Economic Development Strategy to set up youth empowerment centres, you’re giving away that land to furniture shops.”
Kivumbi further justified the need for parliamentary scrutiny, recalling that the law had been amended to require parliamentary approval for local government land leases to prevent misuse and loss of public assets such as recreation grounds and youth centres.
Background on the Land in Question
On April 1, 2025, the Executive Director of KCCA wrote to Parliament seeking approval to lease—not dispose of—several properties:
- Plot 2, Kenneth Close in Kamwokya (Youth Alive)
- Plot M731, Old Kira Road
- Plot M880, off Spring Road
- Plot 406, Namirembe
- Plot M69 and M70 in Lugogo
KCCA justified the proposal as a revenue-generating measure through ground rent and property rentals, which would contribute to its budget for the next financial year.
Parliament previously approved leases for Plot M880 (off Spring Road) and Plot 406 (Namirembe) but withheld approval for the Kamwokya and Lugogo plots. MPs directed KCCA to expedite valuation of Plot 2 (Kamwokya) and Plot M69 and M70 (Lugogo), and to obtain clearance from the Ministry of Finance for Plot 731 (Old Kira Road).
Despite lingering concerns over procedure and alleged disregard for Council oversight, Parliament has now cleared all the remaining plots—setting the stage for KCCA to proceed with the leases.
