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Masaka seeks out of court talks with Kampala varsity
The administration block of Kampala University, Masaka campus. PHOTO BY WILSON KUTAMBA
Masaka- Masaka Municipality authorities have sought an out of court settlement with Kampala University (KU) over a land dispute.
Last year, Masaka Municipal Council dragged Kampala University (KU) to Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court over breach of contract after KU failed to fulfil their tenancy obligations of paying rent and went ahead to acquire a title on a piece of land which the Council rented to them to house their Masaka campus.
The acquisition of the disputed piece of land at New Kumbu, a Masaka Town suburb, on Masaka-Mutukula road by the university attracted protest from Masaka Municipal Council authorities, who later also placed a caveat on the land.
Under the suit, the municipal council applied for an injunction restraining KU from developing the disputed land and ordered them to pay their outstanding rent arrears of more than Shs50m, among other things, until the application is heard and disposed of. Court is yet to hear the application.
However, the municipal council authorities have since resolved to have the matter settled out of court.
Masaka Municipality mayor Godfrey Kayemba Afaayo revealed to Daily Monitor on Tuesday that the executive committee agreed to have the matter discussed with KU.
“ We don’t want to pull ropes with the university administrators yet they came to invest in our town, we are ready to sit with them and resolve this matter amicably,” he said
Mr Afaayo said the former Masaka District land board misused its powers and processed land titles on municipality land in several areas which includes that of New Kumbu where KU Masaka campus is located.
Masaka Municipality town clerk Paul Omoko said since court processes sometimes take long, they decided to have the matter settled out of court.
“We ask councillors who are against the decision to settle the matter out of court to stay calm because the council will have to go back to court to communicate the agreed position,” he said
However, a section of councillors led by Mr Dan Mulondo, who represents Kyabakuza Parish, insist that KU should be evicted from the council premises because they fraudulently acquired the land.
“Let the council repossess its property because it loses a lot of revenue when they continue renting to Kampala University who doesn’t fulfil tenancy requirements,” he said.
Mr Julius Ssekatawa, the KU spokesperson, said the decision by the municipal authorities was welcome adding that they would ask their team to handle the matter so that they can restore their relationship with the municipal authorities.
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