Landlords protest demolition of buildings

GULU. A total of 1,119 landlords under their umbrella body, Association of Property Owners have appealed to the National Physical Planning Board to halt plans by the Gulu Municipality leaders to demolish their structures condemned as unsuitable for human habitation.
Early this month, the municipality leaders gave landlords and people residing in the condemned structures in the four divisions of Bardege, Layibi, Pece and Laroo a two-week ultimatum vacate them.
The condemned structures include dilapidated houses, kiosks, semi-permanent buildings and buildings constructed on road reserves
The decision follows a January 20 council resolution passed in accordance with section 46 of the National Physical Planning Act 2010.
However, the affected landlords on February 10 wrote to the chairperson of the National Physical Planning Board appealing for more time so that they can rehabilitate their structures and find suitable places for relocation.
Mr Leonard Odoki, the chairperson of the association, told journalists at a press briefing in Gulu Town on Monday that they are not against municipality decisions to demolish their structures but are only requesting for more time.
He added that several kiosks marked for demolition are being used by youth to run businesses, arguing that if they are demolished, many would become jobless, prompting possibilities of crime increasing.
Mr Odoki said the selection of some houses to be demolished were biased, arguing that among the 231 permanent structures condemned for demolition in 2010, several of them have this time been left out.
He called for dialogue between the municipality leaders and landlords to settle the matter amicably.
While addressing landowners and traders at Gulu Municipal Council yard on Wednesday, Mr George Labeja, the Gulu mayor, however, said they would go ahead with the demolition as planned.
Mr Labeja said the old buildings are a risk to the lives and health of their occupants and the general public.

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