By Nelly Otto
JINJA
Jinja City Councilors have unanimously passed a resolution to allocate 52.85 acres of land to Makerere University for the establishment of a fully-fledged university campus.
This development is expected to increase access to higher education for the people of Busoga.
The land in question, comprising JJA 76 Folio 10 on Plot 359 Namizi C Village, is situated in the former Budondo sub-county and currently hosts several facilities, including the government-owned Budondo Health Centre IV, a police station, a small maize mill, former sub-county staff quarters, and a vast open land tilled by peasant farmers.
During a special council sitting Tuesday 20th May, 2025 held at the small Committee Room due to the renovation of the Council Chambers, councilors deliberated on the proposal and eventually arrived at a resolution with stringent covenants.
In a significant development, the councilors outlined several key commitments, including a substantial payment of 1 billion Uganda shillings as premium and an annual ground rent of 100 million Uganda shillings.
Furthermore, the deal includes provisions for educational support, with 30 scholarships to be awarded annually to students from Jinja City Local Government and 20 to those from Busoga Kingdom (officially known as Obwakyabainga Bwa Busoga OBB).
On the healthcare front, the current Budondo Health Centre IV is slated for an upgrade to a general hospital, promising enhanced medical services to both the local and University communities.
Notably, the initiative also prioritizes science courses over arts, aiming to foster a stronger foundation in scientific disciplines.
Mayor Alton Peter Kasolo Okocha welcomed the resolution, describing it as a landmark decision on a matter that had been politicized by opponents and critics.
“…the land in question does not belong to any individual but as elected leaders, we have a duty to safeguard such assets from hungry speculative scavengers who would want to hijack the project for selfish agendas…”, he remarked.
However, Town Clerk Edward Lwanga noted that the resolution marks the beginning of a long legal and regulatory framework that both Jinja City Council and Makerere University authorities will pursue before officially transferring the land.
Lwanga, who will assemble the legal document along with a legal expert, urged for more friendly covenants, cautioning against heavy financial burdens on the University.
“…As the legal advisor and accounting officer, I believe the issues of ground rent and premium can be calculated by a government evaluation team to guide accordingly, instead of the 1 billion and 100 million floated by the Council,” Lwanga suggested.
He echoed the Resident City Commissioner’s counsel, warning against being myopic and emphasizing the immense socio-economic multiplier effects Makerere University will have in Jinja and Busoga for decades to come.
Associate Prof. Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala, Makerere University Jinja Campus Director, and his staff member Emma Machake maintained their composure despite provocative remarks from some councilors.
Prof. Kakungulu, seated at the back in a supposed gallery emphasized the importance of Jinja City and Busoga having Makerere University as a fully-fledged public university.
The council meeting was marked by controversy, particularly due to the conduct of Councilor Agnes Kadama (FDC, Jinja City South West constituency), who defied protocol and decorum throughout the meeting.
Councilor Kadama frequently answered back at Speaker Bernard Mbayo and fellow councilors, often speaking without permission. Her actions prompted Mbayo, also an FDC member, to raise his voice on several occasions.
A notable exchange occurred when Prof. Kakungulu mentioned that even 52 acres would not be enough, prompting Agnes Kadama to retort, “…then go and buy more land from elsewhere than disturbing us…” The remark sparked prolonged laughter in the chamber.
Agnes Kadama’s behavior is consistent with her reputation for being cantankerous in council meetings, often drawing attention and reactions from fellow councilors and attendees.
The resolution, read by Mayor Kasolo, emphasized that failure to adhere to the covenants would result in the land reverting to Jinja City Council unconditionally.
The council meeting, which was scheduled to start at 10 am, commenced at 11:32 am after the Speaker led members in singing the Busoga and National anthems, followed by the recitation of the Council prayer by the Clerk to Council, Rajab Kitto.
During the meeting, tempers flared when some councilors opposed the idea of allocating the entire 52.85 acres to Makerere University, citing concerns over the loss of land for other uses.
However, the Resident City Commissioner, Richard Gulume Balyainho, intervened, urging councilors to look beyond immediate concerns and consider the long-term benefits for future generations.
“…Let us look beyond the petty issues of a tiny maize mill and consider how generations to come in about 50 to 100 years will talk about the new Makerere University which will be skyscraping the skies in Jinja and Busoga…,” he remarked.
The resolution concludes that the Local Government agrees in principle to grant the land to Makerere University, pending the preparation of a lease document detailing the covenants and awaiting presentation to Council for final approval.
Lessons Learned
Mayor Kasolo says they were concerned about avoiding past mistakes similar to the botched Tirupati land, given the complex legal history surrounding the 12-acre plot near the Nile Bridge in Jinja.
As can be recalled two Asian-owned companies, led by Jay Thummar Maganlal Patel and Tirupati Development Limited, have been embroiled in a legal battle over the land.
The High Court in Jinja initially ruled in favor of Tirupati Development Limited, citing a valid sublease agreement with Jinja Municipal Council, now City Council.
Lady Justice Jeanne Rwakakooko found that Patel’s acquisition of the land was tainted by fraudulent activities, including forged council meeting minutes.
The lease for the land is reportedly nearing expiration, and Jinja City Council is set to repossess it.
The Council’s decision to allocate land to Makerere University could have been influenced by the desire to avoid similar legal entanglements.
According to pundits, Jinja City Council’s cautionary approach highlights the importance of prudent decision-making when it comes to public land allocation.
By prioritizing careful consideration and transparent processes, the city aims to ensure that public assets are utilized for the greater good, rather than being hijacked for personal gain.
It’s worth noting that the Tirupati land dispute has been ongoing, with the Court of Appeal yet to make a verdict.
The strategic location of the land near the Nile Bridge adds to its value and importance for development projects in the area
