By Edward Byamukama
The Local Council III Chairperson for Kabwoya Sub County in Kikuube District Mr. Francis Twesige Mukooto, has refuted allegations that he connived with a businessman to sell part of the land allocated for Nyairongo Market.
A group of local leaders from Nyairongo, led by Mr. Desire Nkurunziza, the Chairperson for Greater Nyairongo, were on over the weekend seen at Kikuube Police Headquarters, reportedly seeking to have Mr. Mukooto apprehended.
Speaking to our reporter, Mr. Nkurunziza alleged that Mr Mukooto sold part of the market land to Mr. Moses Ndozereho, who is reportedly erecting a large store without the consent of the community and local leaders.
He said the land was procured using compensation money amounting to UGX 21.8 million paid by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The market land was affected by the construction of the Hoima–Kyangwali road.
Mr. Nkurunziza added that all chairpersons of Greater Nyairongo had already filed a case at Kyarushesha Police Post and that Mr. Mukooto had not yet recorded a statement.
Mr. Fabiano Maneragafa, the councillor for Kaseeta Parish, said he was shocked to see construction using over 100 iron sheets on a two-acre piece of land meant for a public market.
“We tried to stop the construction through the Parish Chief in November, but all was in vain,” he said.
However, Mr. Mukooto described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
According to him, the market is meant to serve the community, and all interested vendors were issued receipts in a formal and transparent manner, including Mr. Ndozereho.
“There is no way I can sell land acquired through a formal government process,” Mr. Mukooto said.
