MPs have questioned Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials over the ownership, management and procurement of land at Lusaze, Dundu, Kasenge and Bukasa, raising concerns about encroachment, lease renewal and the use of taxpayers’ money.
The MPs, sitting on the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), also demanded explanations for delayed compensation to victims of the Kiteezi landfill disaster and the authority’s rising legal costs.
The committee, chaired by Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi, sought clarification on the status of the properties and the processes followed when they were acquired.
Lubaga North MP Abubaker Kawalya questioned the status of Dundu land, which he said was reportedly occupied by encroachers despite having been earmarked for waste disposal.
Kawalya also raised concerns about Kasenge land, saying his previous visit had revealed significant encroachment on property that had cost taxpayers substantial sums to acquire.
Lwengo MP Hakim Kiiza questioned the ownership status of Lusaze Cemetery, which KCCA uses for burials, and demanded an explanation of the procurement process for Bukasa land in Makindye Division.
Nkunyingi expressed concern over the absence of key officials, including the directors responsible for legal affairs, land management and procurement, whose departments were expected to respond to the questions.
Nathan Kasule, KCCA’s director of land management, later told the committee that the lease for Lusaze Cemetery had expired and that disputes over the land’s boundaries had necessitated a joint survey involving KCCA and the Buganda Land Board.
He said the lease could not be renewed until the outstanding issues were resolved. KCCA had submitted an application for renewal and was awaiting approval from the Buganda Land Board.
Executive director Sharifa Buzeki promised to submit a comprehensive report on the status of the Dundu, Bukasa and Lusaze properties.
On cemetery management, KCCA director of public health and environment Dr Sarah Zalwango said the authority worked with qualified service providers and pathology professionals. She added that her department maintained records of the number of bodies buried at Lusaze.
However, Nkunyingi pressed officials to explain whether religious and cultural leaders had been involved in burial and exhumation procedures.
The committee also examined compensation disputes arising from the Kiteezi landfill disaster.
Makindye West MP Zahra Luyirika said a petition had been submitted to the speaker over alleged compensation gaps, with some victims reportedly receiving less than the amounts assessed by government valuers.
Luyirika, Kamuli MP Martin Muzaale and Elgon North MP Gerald Nangoli asked KCCA to account for pending, concluded and alternative dispute resolution cases.
Muzaale questioned the Shs12 billion spent on compensation and demanded explanations for the authority’s legal expenditure. Nangoli called for a case-by-case report showing amounts spent on disputes settled in and out of court.
Bunghoko MP Geoffrey Wokuri also cited delayed payments and staff shortages as factors affecting revenue collection.
