Defiant businessman frustrates road construction works launched by Museveni

Authorities in Masaka Municipality have mounted pressure on a businessman in Nyendo-Ssenyange Division to pull down a three-storied apartment to pave way for construction of Nyendo-Bakakkata Road.

Construction of Nyendo-Bukakkata Road was launched by President Museveni in December last year and all residents alongside the road were compensated to relocate to other places.

But Mr Achilles Kiwanuka, the Masaka Municipality Senior Engineer in-charge of buildings says that although the proprietor of Ssettuba Guest House was compensated and told to pull down his building like other project-affected persons, he instead decided to dissect the apartment, leaving one part standing.
“We served the owner of the building with enforcement notice, stopping the new developments on site, we advised him to follow the demolition plan which he has since rejected,” Mr Kiwanuka said during an interview on Tuesday.

He added that they have since compiled a report about the dangers that can result from the dissected apartment and submitted it to the town clerk.
“We are now waiting for Mr Paul Omoko, the Municipality Town Clerk to take the next step,” he said.

However, the proprietor of the apartment only identified as Ssettuba, has since declined to comment on the matter, saying his woes with municipal officials cannot be resolved in newspapers.

Mr Vincent Kasumba, the President Masaka Development Forum (MDF) said the municipal council officials were reluctant to stop the alleged shoddy works taking place at the said apartment despite being aware.
“Evaluation was made and it was agreed that the entire building be demolished, the entire community has complained to authorities to stop the new developments, but nothing is being done,” he said.

Government has in the last two decades been promising to tarmac the 41Km Nyendo-Bukakkata Road, but had failed due to lack of funds despite the road’s economic significance.
The road connects residents from Masaka to Bukakkata and Kalangala Islands. Once tarmacked, the road will help boost the fisheries, farming and tourism sectors.

Bukakkata Road progress
Construction of Nyendo-Bukakkata Road was launched in December last year with a contract valued about Shs195b awarded to Osman Ahmed Osman $Company an Arab company. The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa and OPEC Fund for International Development are funding the project.

According to Mr FA Bruce from Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Company Limited a joint contractor with Osman Ahmed Osman & Company they are yet to finalize setting up a site camp before actual civil works start.

“We still need a lot of local manpower regardless of gender and several service providers before the end of this month,” Mr Bruce said, adding that by the end of two years’ time frame the road will be complete.