In a dramatic turn of events, a whistleblower has shaken the corridors of power by exposing alleged irregularities in Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) procurement of land for a waste management facility appealing to different offices, including President, General Yoweri Museveni to take action.
The explosive revelations, backed by official documents, threaten to derail a multi-billion shilling project and expose high level corruption at KCCA.
A whistleblower report dated 13 November, 2024 by a one Kamukama Ronald seeks the intervention of different stakeholders in what he calls “gross irregularities in the procurement process undertaken by the procurement committee of KCCA.”
In another letter, dated 19, November, 2024, another stakeholder, Ms Nakkazi Lilian adds credence to Kamukama’s allegations in a notice to the different government officials where she states that the land KCCA is in the process of acquiring belongs to her but is being sold by ” fraudsters.”
The land in question, Block 109, plot 89, measuring 20 acres in Namwabula, Mpigi District, is at the center of the blazing storm.
Legal disputes, including Civil Suit No. 147 of 2024 and Misc. Application No. 117 of 2023, have cast doubt over ownership and viability according to whistleblower alerts.
Despite these red flags, KCCA’s procurement team is reportedly pushing ahead with the acquisition, ignoring the fact that the land is swampy, sloping, and unsuitable for the advertised purpose.
“This is a ticking time bomb,” warned a concerned Ms Nakkazi. “If KCCA proceeds with this deal, it’s only a matter of time before we face another disaster like Kiteezi.” Less than six months ago, a similar waste management failure at Kiteezi led to loss of lives and property worth billions that ultimately sent KCCA bosses, including Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka parking, spending weeks in Luzira as a result.
Allegations of bribery and favoritism have further tainted the process. The whistleblower reports revealed that the evaluation team deliberately sidelined lower cost, legally compliant bids to favor a controversial bidder whose land fails to meet KCCA’s own criteria. “This is not just bad governance, but a betrayal of public trust,” laments a crestfallen Nakkazi.
The transaction, which could cost taxpayers over seven billion shillings, has sparked outrage across government agencies. Appeals have been made to the Inspector General of Government, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Solicitor General to intervene. Many fear the deal could erode public confidence in KCCA’s leadership and lead to signifcant financial and legal repercussions.
“Leaders who disregard court cases and public welfare in favor of personal gain are like builders laying a foundation in quicksand,” remarked a senior legal expert.
As pressure mounts,the new KCCA’s leadership is under scrutiny, with calls for Deputy Director of Procurement, Mrs. Doreen Akatuhwera Tiberonda, and her team to step aside. Stakeholders are demanding a thorough investigation and swift action to safeguard public resources.
With billions at stake, the nation is watching closely, waiting to see if justice and accountability will prevail in a case that has cast a long shadow over KCCA and its handling of public funds.
