MBARARA –Three plots of Mbarara Central Market land have allegedly been sold off to two property moguls.
This was discovered when ROKO constructors started construction works for the new central market.
It is alleged that the plots were sold to Mr. Nicholas Asimwe alias Nicoz and Mr. Everest Begumisa from Rwampara by a group of municipal council officials. These tycoons have several times been seen with some of the suspected officials.
Impeccable sources have say that the said land is now being developed into a shopping area with four-storied lock-ups. This land is located in the corner of the central market along Garage Street/Bishop Wills Street in Mbarara Town.
In October 2018, the Council instituted a probe committee into the sale of municipal land with a two-week ultimatum to table a report of the findings. However, since October nothing has been presented.
Mayor Robert Kakyebezi confirmed the illegal construction on council land and ploys by a section of councilors who sold off the pieces of land in question.
“When the central market land was being surveyed, we found out that there was a small portion of land that was left out untitled. So it is not municipal land,” he said.
Mr. Richard Mugisha, the deputy town clerk also confirmed that there were illegal developments on those plots but they went and stopped further constructions.
He said: “There are three small plots that were found not in the title of central market land. We heard rumours that some politicians with in our council have sold it, and construction was going on. But we went with the RDC Lt. Col. James Mwesigye and stopped the construction.”