Government injects Shs300m into new State lodge

The construction works of a State lodge in Buvuma Islands is taking shape after State House injected Shs300 million into the project, Daily Monitor has established.
The State lodge sits on an eight acre piece of land in Kitamiiro Village, Buvuma Town Council.
Ms Lucy Nakyobe, the State House comptroller, said the construction works are expected to be completed by end of the year.

“We found it imperative to construct a State lodge in Buvuma Islands. We are sure it will pave way for locals and President Museveni to discuss challenges faced by the community in Buvuma since he will be having a home to stay,” Ms Nakyobe said on Wednesday.
“The President has always been accessing the island using a helicopter, but when the State lodge is completed, he will be using a vehicle to tour the area,” she added.

The first State lodge in Buvuma was constructed in the 1970s by the late former president Idi Amin Dada and the building currently houses the central police station.
The Buvuma District chairperson, Mr Alex Mabiriizi, said establishing a new State lodge will boost development.
“Local businessmen can start setting up hotels and good restaurants because all those people [who usually accompany the President] will require food and accommodation,” he said.

On security, Mr Mabiriizi added: “Our area has open boundaries and we always see strangers from the neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania crossing to Buvuma. In most cases, they [strangers] steal our peoples’ fishing equipment such as fishing gear and boats. I know with a State lodge in place, security will be beefed up.”
However, some residents who vacated the land where the State lodge is being constructed claim they were not duly compensated.
Mr Dictioner Kafeero, a resident of Kitamiiro Village, claims part of his kibanja [plot] was taken without compensation.
Mr Kafeero said he bought his piece of land measuring three acres in 2001, but part of it was taken by the district to construct an office for the Resident District Commissioner.

“When I complained to them [district officials], they told me the land belongs to Buganda Kingdom and they refused to compensate me, the remaining part has now been taken by State House,” he said.
Mr Fajil Mande Kiwunda, another resident, claims his compensation money was given to another resident.
“When I complained, I was told the money had been given to another person who claimed ownership of the same land, they [State House] then promised to compensate me for only the crops and I am yet to receive my package,” he said.

But Ms Nakyobe insists all genuine claimants had been compensated.
“That site [where State lodge is being constructed] is part of the public land that some individuals had encroached on.
“We worked closely with local leaders including the RDC, district chairperson and councillors and authorised them to sit with those encroachers to discuss their compensation and we paid them, but one resident who was hiring a kibanja wanted us to compensate her, but we refused and instead compensated the original owner of the land. I know she could be the only one complaining,’’ she said.

ABOUT STATE LODGES
State House website indicates that the President has two main State Houses, one in Nakasero, a posh city suburb and another at Nsamizi Hill in Entebbe Town overlooking the airport.
However, there are also several State lodges scattered around the country.
Although the website doesn’t mention the exact number of state lodges in the countryside, districts such as Masaka, Mbarara, Mbale, Jinja, Arua, Gulu, Fort Portal, Lira, Napak, Masindi, and Kapchorwa have State lodges.

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