The State Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Metropolitan Affairs, Kyofatogabye Kabuye, has called on the government to institute land reforms that would allow compulsory acquisition of land for public projects.
He argued that Uganda’s development, particularly in constructing wide motorable roads, is being hindered by the current land tenure system.
Speaking before Parliament’s Presidential Affairs Committee during the presentation of KCCA’s 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper proposals, Kyofatogabye said the “land question” is a major obstacle to infrastructure development.
“Government must wake up and say enough is enough. If I want a road here, let me break the thing and put the road. This business of appealing and kneeling must stop,” he said.
The Minister highlighted that many road designs in Kampala and its metropolitan areas were initially based on the assumption that land would be readily available.
However, the need for compensation has forced the government to maintain narrow roads, limiting development. He explained that new urban road designs require additional space for features like covered drainage systems, walkways, streetlights, and service ducts.
“Even in the existing corridors, you need an extra 1.5 meters on either side to accommodate these facilities,” Kyofatogabye added.
The Minister also shared an incident involving a developer in Bugolobi, who demanded UGX 3 billion from KCCA to demolish a wall on public land leased to him. The demolition was necessary to construct a drainage channel connecting to the Nakivubo channel.
Despite explaining the potential damage that blocked water could cause to the developer’s property, the individual refused to cooperate, dismissing the Minister as a “villager.”
Kyofatogabye lamented the challenges posed by private landowners obstructing public projects, even on land originally leased by KCCA. He urged lawmakers to prioritize land reforms to enable the government to implement critical projects without undue delays or exorbitant compensation demands.
The Minister’s remarks highlight the pressing need for policy changes to address land-related challenges that continue to impede Kampala’s urban development.