By The Insight Post Uganda
Mukono, Uganda
A sharp dispute has erupted in Mukono district regarding emerging plans to take control of the oldest Community Youth Empowerment Centre in the district.
At the centre of the controversial takeover is Dr. Anthony Kkonde, the Health Director of Mukono Municipality, who is being implicated in dubious district land matters for the second time.
This centre, also called the ‘Kyaggwe Social Centre’ was established in the early 1990s. It was formally inaugurated on June 10, 1955.
It came into existence with the support of a generous donation of UGX20,000 (at the time) contributed by Nanji Kalidas Metha.
The fenced centre is more than just a structure since it boasts various amenities within its confines.
Among them is a basketball court where young individuals engage in spirited tournaments. Additionally, there’s a lush green garden, providing a relaxing setting for gatherings and leisure activities.
For years, the centre has been under the district’s careful administration. It has helped organise games and sports, a place for computer and technology services, and offered helpful counselling for the youth within the district.
How It Started?
The trouble dates back to 2019 when Dr. Kkonde first set his sights on a parcel of land measuring 1.5 Acres (0.642 hectares) located at Upper Kauga, behind the Mukono district headquarters.
However, his plans didn’t go as he hoped because the previous district leaders strongly disagreed with him.
They said that the land he wanted had already been used for buildings where workers from Mukono Health Center IV stayed, and this health centre was later upgraded to a general hospital.
The district, firm in its position, took decisive measures to thwart Dr. Kkonde’s construction endeavours. They seized his construction materials, apprehended some of his workers, and sternly halted the ongoing construction.
This determined stance was complemented by the reinstatement of health workers who had previously left the premises thinking it was already taken over by the developer (Kkonde).
Kkonde strongly contested the obstruction of the construction works, presenting a lease granted to him by the Buganda Land Board (BLB) that extended for a substantial 47-year period, officially signed on May 31, 2017.
His vision was ambitious, focused on establishing a training centre for young individuals and a sanctuary for orphaned children but all fell apart.
As the tides of opposition seemed insurmountable, he shifted his strategy by claiming support from Namulondo Investments to assume control of the youth centre.
However, the wheels of resistance kept on turning. James Nkata, the then Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), emerged as a staunch counterforce, refusing to let Kkonde’s machinations take root.
The office of the Resident District Commissioner, operating in tandem with Nkata, also thwarted renovation endeavours and sought clarity from the Mukono Municipal Town Clerk, Godfrey Kisekka.
Kisekka, however, professed complete ignorance of the situation, which only added to the confusion surrounding the matter.
But Kkonde did not lose hope; he seized the opportunity presented by the leadership changes to strengthen his efforts and continue the fight.
Under the reign of the new Chief Administrative Officer, Elizabeth Namamda, and the auspices of fresh political leaders led by the LC5 Chairperson, Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, Kkonde initiated a fresh crusade.
He unveiled a signpost bearing the name ‘Child Care and Youth Empowerment Foundation’ (CCAYEF), boldly designating the centre as its headquarters. This signified a complete possession and takeover of the centre.
The managing director of the organisation found her residence within the very administrative offices that had previously been the heart of the resource centre’s mission.
As the administrative landscape underwent changes, Elizabeth Namanda, the new CAO, expressed her intention to seek guidance from the solicitor general and the BLB.
Her aim was to establish authority over ‘Namulondo Investment‘ which was seen as an accomplice in this complex drama. Namanda’s position was clear and resolute since the district’s tradition of managing the centre would remain intact.
“I’ve heard reports of recent mismanagement at the facility, but my team will conduct a thorough assessment to rectify any issues. It has been under district management, and it will continue to be so,” she affirmed.
To date, Kkonde’s determination remained steadfast. But rumours circulating from within his inner circles suggested that he believed the CAO’s gender (female) would be his secret weapon.
Buganda Land Board
Amidst the unfolding drama, counterarguments came to the fore. Denis Bugaya, the spokesperson of BLB, firmly stated that Dr. Kkonde’s case had already been settled.
He revealed that Kkonde had been duly served with legal notices and even pointed out the existence of correspondence with the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG).
“It’s surprising that he still asserts ownership. The district should act swiftly by working with BLB to formalize their properties to prevent similar disputes in the future,” said Bugaya, adding that Kkonde’s initial target was the medical staff quarters, but BLB officials had to intervene since the district holds an active lease for that land, and it’s their prerogative to allocate priorities remarked.
Kkonde Evades Media
When approached for his side of the story, Kkonde evaded direct responses, directing inquiries to Steven Kigundu, the Antony-Namumira Ward Chairperson, who is responsible for overseeing the centre on-site.
Kigundu, though approached, refrained from diving into the complex discussion, citing the intricate nature of the matter.
Amid the prevailing uncertainty, a shift in custodianship has surfaced. The District Community Development Department relinquished control to Ibrahim Kiwalabye, the District Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Officer.
Interestingly, insiders within the centre disclosed that Kiwalabye had directed the administrators to keep information about its condition from being shared with media and the public.
This nature of secrecy cast a shadow over the future of a place that had once fostered dreams of progress.
Youths React
Joab Kato, one of the youths who frequented the centre, questioned the district’s commitment to the centre’s progress, fearing that hidden agendas might thwart its potential.
Kato’s scepticism was rooted in his belief that certain district figures were actively stifling the centre’s development, possibly in pursuit of surrendering it to new developers.
His plea resonated with a call for intervention from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, a hope for clarity in this convoluted affair.
Observation
During a recent visit to the centre, we observed a fully operational router with the capacity to support more than 50 computers. However, approximately thirty of these devices remained idle due to a lack of funds for maintenance and servicing.
The building itself stands as a silent testament to this perplexing situation, displaying visible signs of wear and tear, which cry out for refurbishment. In the midst of these complexities, the issue of relocation hangs worryingly, a dilemma that remains unresolved.
The narrative surrounding Mukono’s youth centre reflects a bigger problem in the region where many young people struggle to find jobs even though the area is gradually developing.
There aren’t enough places where young folks can go to learn or get help, especially in growing neighbourhoods.
This means that even though there are computers and places for training, many people who are not well-off can’t afford the services. The centre used to be a symbol of hope for those who didn’t have much.
However, should Dr. Kkonde’s machinations bear fruit, he will join a list of government officials who’ve succeeded in the unlawful seizure of plots within the district’s administrative hub.
The erosion of public land, totaling 29 acres, has left a scar on Mukono’s landscape. The said land has been wrongly sold to private developers by unscrupulous district officials. A report paints a grim picture – of the district’s initial 49 acres, only echoes remain.
Amidst this ongoing conflict, the youth centre remains, symbolizing the clash between ideals and ambition, the importance of heritage, and the pursuit of authority. As time passes, only the future will unveil the final outcome of this intricate story of hopes and challenges.
END
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