By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Minister for Tourism, wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime on February 28, 2025, inspected Entebbe Botanical Gardens and reminded former NARO employees to vacate the facility which they occupied illegally.
The minister who was accompanied by Entebbe Zoo Chief Warden, Mr. David Musingo, and other UWA officials said government will facilitate the tenants to vacate the facility since they need money to transport their household property in addition to renting new houses.
The minister said once the tenants leave Entebbe Botanical Gardens, his ministry through Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA) intends to facelift the facility so as to attract investors who wish to invest in lodging facilities and restaurants.
The Chief Warden said once funds are processed, the tenants who illegally occupied Botanical Gardens will have to vacate immediately to pave way for redevelopment of the facility.
He revealed that some of the former employees of National Agriculture Research Organization have retained their jobs in Botanical Gardens and their monthly salary was enhanced from Shs70,000 -180,000.
However, recently the affected tenants claimed that they had lived on the disputed land for over 18 years and that evicting them without any compensation amounts to injustice of the highest order.
However, following our story, the tenants will be supported financially.
It should be recalled that on February 5, 2025, the outgoing UWA boss, Sam Mwandha issued an eviction notice to tenants ordering them to vacate Entebbe Botanical gardens within 14 days. The notice reads in parts:
‘It has come to our attention that without authorization from UWA- you are in occupation of part of the land that houses Entebbe Botanical gardens and that you constructed a structure there on it. Be informed your continued occupation is illegal and amounts to trespass.
“You are therefore directed to vacate the said land and premises within 14 days from the date of receipt of this notice. Should you fail or refuse to do so, UWA shall evict you from there at your own cost and embarrassment.’
