“City borns” in the Busoga’s capital, Jinja city are reportedly turning alleys into business centres, an illegal aspect in urban settings.
The sanitary Lane between Clive Road west and Nizam Road west is now full kiosks bearing yellow posters of President Museveni.
This has caused mixed reactions among residents and other stakeholders, questioning “who are the determined individuals behind the illegal move?”
Allegations indicate that some local councillors both at the city hall and the southern division are the ones purportedly facilitating the construction of the kiosks for their individual gains.
It is said that the land now housing the illegal kiosks belongs to St James Church of Uganda, which also houses St James Secondary school.
Mr Edward Lwanga, the Jinja City Clerk on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, ordered for the removal of the kiosks within a period of six days.
“This is to inform whoever is concerned with the installation of kiosks in the lane that during the city security committee meeting held at the resident City Commissioner’s office. It was unanimously resolved that all the above kiosks be removed not later than Monday, May 20, 2024,” reads part of Mr Lwanga’s letter.
“The purpose of this communication is to inform those concerned and remove the kiosks. Failure to comply will leave no other option, but the council will remove them without further notice,” he further said in the latter.
Notably, the wonderful project prompted some businessmen, operating around the alley to petition against the construction of the kiosks within the service lane.
Hajji Saidi Ediluma, Hajji Haka Mutahi, Mr Robert Wandaka and Hajji Wadina Wefe through Mugoya and Company Advocates claim that they are the owners of the land adjacent the embattled service lane which service as a road to offload construction materials of their ongoing construction projects.
The petitioners also claim that the kiosks being constructed are wooden while some are metallic, which put their assets at a huge risk of fire outbreak.
The said structures also do not have toilets, which endangers the hygiene of people around, and it is against the laws of Uganda.
This development remains a matter of serious concern amongst Jinja city residents, waiting for further actions of the city authorities if there exists no progress in demolizing the kiosks.
