By Mulengera Reporter
A row is brewing in Jinja over an attempt to sell the District Administration Block and a piece of prime land, housing the Natural Resources Offices along Obote Road, to an investor planning to put up a hotel business.
On Tuesday, District Council Finance and Works committees visited the block to ascertain its status and file a report they hope to present to plenary for a resolution.
Juliet Mutesi led the Finance Committee while Bate Mugisha headed that of Works on this fact-finding tour. Other councilors that inspected the block included: David Aga Isabirye, Patrick Mutasa Kisige, Rose Mukama, Agnes Kadama and Jennifer Konga.
The proposal to sell the block and land has already divided council, with those opposing the sale claiming it is a ploy by Titus Kisambira, the District LCV boss, and his allies, to generate campaign money for their 2021 election bids.
“We know these people. They are using flowery words to make the world believe that they are very genuine, yet the truth is that they want money to fund their campaigns,” claimed Kadama, the Kakira Town Council Representative.
Jinja East Councilor Jennifer Konga argued that the proposal lacked merit, further daring Kisambira to first account for over Shs2.5bn from previously sold council land.
“Even a nursery pupil knows that there are no signs that there is value for money in the work so far done at Kagoma [where the district headquarters is expected to be relocated]; so, why are they in a hurry as if the world is ending today?” wondered Konga.
KISAMBIRA RESPONDS
According to Kisambira, money from the sale of the property and land will be used in the completion of the new district headquarters currently under construction at Kagoma. He further fired back at those opposed to the project, terming them enemies of progress.
“Our technical officers will need decent offices and facilities in the new home; so, we must get money and that’s why we are going to sell off the block,” said Kisambira.
“The same group who opposed the relocation of the district headquarters from town are the ones making noise but that will not deter us from working for the voters.”