By Simon Turibamwe
Politicians in Kampala have appealed to court to save the tenants who are incurring losses in business over the arcade ownership disputes by landlords by taking over the management. They have suggested that court take the responsibility of rent collection and restrain landlords from accessing premises for any transaction with tenants until court establishes who the rightful owner is. The arcades in dispute including Qualicel and Nabukeera Plazas in the Kampala business centre which are claimed by three tycoons Drake Lubega, Charles Muhangi (RIP) and a one Young. Before Muhangi died, he had renamed Qualicel Plaza to Banzanyanengo (they joke with a leopard) Plaza. The politicians who included Ofwono Opondo, Abdul Katuntu, Semuju Ibrahim Nganda and Elizabeth Atoli an activist from Leadership for Economic and Social Rights made the appeal and suggestion while featuring on Capital radio’s famous Capital Gang today (Saturday) morning where a number of issues were discussed. The group consented that once the government pick interest to favor tenants from suffering the landlords’ wrangles, the landlords will also feel the pain and loss of income which will force them to solve the matter without affecting the tenants. Semuju Nganda the FDC party spokesperson urged that the problem in Kampala arcades are not only landlords but also the government and City authority that have failed to enact laws protecting tenants. Semuju suggested that the problem which has escalated from ownership by landlords to the tenants then to the political interest be given an expedited hearing by courts if the tenants are to be saved. Semuju also said that the wrangles and chaos in Kampala city will is affecting the city development because new entrants are now finding own ways in other cities like Kigali and Nairobi where tenants feel are protected. He urged both the government and KCCA to put in place laws and regulatory bodies protecting tenants from mistreatment by landlords. Wanyoto added that the establishment of a regulatory body by KCCA is very agent for the tenants because it is what will save tenants from losses caused by landlords. “Whenever landlords are wrangling, they are the tenants who incur losses without compensation and this can be solved by regulatory bodies established within KCCA,” said Wanyoto. She added that the tenants’ problems do not end at closing their businesses without notice but also treat them like foreigners by only giving them premises without toilets and places of convenience. Wanyoto further hailed Kampala Politicians’ intervention into the landlord-tenants disputes. Elizabeth Atoli whose NGO aims at fighting for Economic and Social Rights said that she has hopes that the intervention by the Kampala politicians especially Mayor Elias Lukwago may cause a big impact and have the problems solved forever as court must establish who the rightful owner of the arcades is and also order for compensation of tenants. For comments, call or text us on 0752510225.
