Former mayoral candidate sues Kabale municipality for selling yard

Kabale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Wilson Mbabazi, a former mayoral candidate has sued Kabale Municipality for selling off its yard on Plot 11-17 along Mbarara road. The municipal yard was reportedly sold off to prominent businessman, Cephas Birungi Kagyenda at Shillings 1 billion.

The yard used to host a health centre II, store, works and education offices. Last month, Birungi issued an eviction notice to Kabale municipality from the yard to pave way for redevelopment. The Municipality started relocating its property to Mwanjari in Southern and Central division offices.

This has since created a feud between the municipal and central division authorities. They have blocked the health center from operating in the division premises. They accused the municipality of selling off the yard without finding an alternative space to host the health center. This has prompted Wilson Mbabazi to challenge the sale of the yard.

Through his lawyers M/S Bemanyisa & Company Advocates, Mbabazi argues that the municipality duped the public that the yard was leased to the businessman for 40 years yet it was completely sold off. In his civil suit number 009 of 2020, Mbabazi also argues that the Municipality neither advertised nor followed the guidelines for disposing off public property.

He also says that there was no reason for selling off the yard since Kabale Municipality is in the process of being elevated to a city. He wants court to declare the sale of the yard null and void. Kabale High Court Registrar Didas Muhumuza says he has already summoned Kabale Municipality and Birungi to file their defense before the end this month.

Speaking to our reporter, the Mayor Kabale Municipality, Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha, said they are yet to receive the court summon. He however insisted that they leased the yard under proper procedures.

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