IGG okays development of Kyambogo University land
Kyambongo University students check for their names ahead of today’s graduation ceremony. The IGG has also lifted a ban on the university’s land. PHOTO BY S. Wandera.
What you need to know:
Blocked. The IGG had last year blocked transaction or negotiations related to the land
KAMPALA.
Inspector General of Government Irene Mulyangoja has lifted the ban she had imposed on Kyambogo University land following investigations into alleged mismanagement.
Prof Elly Katunguka, the acting Kyambogo University vice chancellor, revealed this yesterday ahead of today’s graduation, adding that out of the 2,000 who had not graduated during the 10th graduation ceremony, 845 had been cleared.
“The IGG has lifted the ban on our land. We can now hold discussions [for investing on the land],” Prof Katunguka said.
The IGG last year directed Education minister Jessica Alupo, university staff and Uganda Land Commission to stop any transaction in relation to the institution’s land.
“This is to direct that the minister of Education and other officers in the ministry to stay any transactions and negotiations in respect of Kyambogo University land until investigations by the IGG about mismanagement are concluded,” the 2013 letter reads in part.
“The administrators of Kyambogo University and council should desist from holding any meetings among themselves and negotiations... in respect of the said land. ULC is also prohibited from effecting any transactions in respect to the land...”
However, Ms Ali Munira, the IGG spokesperson, yesterday could not confirm the clearance, saying she wasn’t privy to the information.
But the development comes as a relief for the institution as the university can now start to engage stakeholders to develop the land while the IGG concludes her investigations.
A parliamentary committee recently established that ULC had made subdivisions on the land than had been requested by the Ministry of Education.
According to Mr Katunguka, the Ministry of Education offered the university more than 350 acres of land in Kyambogo, but the [ministry] asked to be allocated five acres where it could build its headquarters.
However, in allocating the five acres, complaints arose that officials that had illegally doled land to themselves, which prompted an investigation on the matter by the IGG’s office.
title released
In 2012, the university’ land title was released in the presence of the university secretary, bursar, chief internal auditor, legal officer and the acting estates officer.
