General Tinyefuza summoned over KCCA House

Legislators on the Presidential Affairs committee have in a Thursday meeting summoned the Coordinator of Intelligence Services, General David Tinyefuza to explain his continued refusal to vacate the now controversial Kampala Capital City Authority House in Kololo.

The General is also supposed to clarify on allegations that the house could have been sold without the authorization of KCC. General Tinyefuza will also be tasked to explain why he threatened to arrest KCCA chief Executive, Jennifer Musisi who is doing her official duty.

The legislators in a meeting chaired by Mr Barnabas Tinkasimire (NRM, Buyaga) summoned General Tinyefuza to appear with the minister for the Presidency, Ms Kabakumba Masiko on Tuesday next week.

Ms Kabakumba is also expected to explain the status of KCCA in regard to the ongoing power struggle between Ms Musisi and the mayor, Mr Erias Lukwago.
“We want the general to come and confirm his threats before this honourable committee that has the powers of the High Court. We want to tell him that the committee is composed of field marshals and he should come prepared for this,” Mr Tinkasiimire said.

He emphasized that committee fully supports Ms Jennipher’s efforts aimed at restoring all the public properties that were fraudulently acquired from KCC so that they are returned.

“We need to know whether the General followed the due process in acquiring that house and whether KCCA was compensated. We also need to know whether the General is paying rent and allegations that this house could have been sold already,” Mr Tinkasiimire said.

The KCCA Executive Director has given General Tinyefuza up to August 2 to vacate the two storey house located on plot 2, Mabua road.

But the General has since threatened to arrest her if she dare attempts to evict him from the official mayor’s residence saying the house serves as the state’s security interests and not his personal comfort.

The house was controversially occupied by General Tinyefuza in March 2008 upon a directive of then local government minister, Maj Gen (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire.
The legislators called for the review of the KCCA law saying it has a number of loopholes.

Serere County MP, Mr Steven Ochola emphasized that there cannot be a Lord Mayor and councilors who have got the mandate of the people but without authority.
“The law must be revisited so that we have a Mayor with powers over the running of KCCA who must take decisions on the way services are being delivered,” Mr Ochola advised.

Masaka Municipality MP, Mr Mathias Mpuuga noted that the KCCA law is being abused by the presidency to promote impunity.

“Also the powers of the lord mayor and the executive director are not properly underscored. She is not part of KCCA but under what mandate is she operating?. She also signs contracts without the involvement of political leaders .She is acting alone as if she is a demi-god of sorts,” Mr Mpuuga said.