By witnessradio.org Team
Kampala – Uganda – more than 300 families that are legally occupying and cultivating their land in Kawaala zone II, a suburb of Kampala are accusing the World Bank and its partners for fast trucking illegal eviction to give way for a multibillion shillings project before consultations and sensitization among others.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) acquired a loan of 60 billion Uganda shillings (equivalent to about USD 17 million) from the World Bank and the International Development Association (IDA) to construct a 2.58 KM, Lubigi water drainage channel, which stretches from Kawaala Zone II, Rubaga Division, Kampala district.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is the legal entity, established by an act of Parliament (KCCA Act, 2010), which is responsible for the administration and operations of the capital city of Kampala in Uganda.
In a community meeting, residents revealed that before and during the planning process and the implementation of the constriction of the drainage channel, no official from the World Bank or its partners like KCCA has never consulted them during the planning process to get their inputs for the project nor sensitized them but instead, World Bank and KCCA are hiding under the Public Health Act, Cap 281Act, to disposes of them.
According to an eviction notice issued by KCCA on December, 03rd, 2020, and seen by witnessradio.org, KCCA has termed residents’ houses as ‘illegal structures’ and ordered residents to demolish them by December, 30th, 2020.
According to residents, they have lived and cultivated on the land for decades and are wondering the circumstances under which KCCA obtained the land.
Namaala Christine, 65, says she has lived on her land since 1969 and questions the development project the World Bank and KCCA are bringing if it (the project) is to disposes of them of their land.
“At my age, you want to evict me, where do you want me to go, do you want me to go to the street,” questioned Namaala.
She added that the World Bank and KCCA did not consult them, did not value and compensate them for their land their properties.
Another victim, identified as Charles Sserugo, 55, challenged the Kampala Capital City Authority to present its legal rights over the land they are being evicted from.
“We are the original occupants and some of us have ancestors buried in this area, where do they want to go” asked Sserugo.
Witness Radio – Uganda, pledged to work with the affected community to ensure that justice for all affected families prevails.
