Controversy is brewing at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) after several city plots were leased to private entities without what some leaders call proper consultation or adherence to procedure.
Parliament on 24th June passed a motion approving the leasing of plots located on Namirembe Road, Offspring Road, Old Kira Road, Kenneth Close, and Lugogo to private parties such as the Buganda Kingdom and Youth Alive Uganda, aimed at boosting KCCA revenue.
The session approving the lease was chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
According to Bbeg Media, the move has drawn sharp criticism, with KCCA leaders claiming they were not consulted, despite being the statutory body responsible for such allocations.
KCCA Speaker Zahrah Luyirika told reporters after a council meeting that the authority would investigate how the leases were approved. She said the council had resolved to task its executive committee with producing a detailed report on how the allocations, including one linked to Tayebwa, bypassed normal procedures.
“As a council, we have agreed to task the executive committee to come up with a conclusive report on how the Deputy Speaker Tayebwa and others acquired city plots without going through proper procedures,” Luyirika said.
She specifically cited Plot 22A Nakivubo, measuring 0.860 hectares (approximately two acres), which Tayebwa is reported to have acquired in 2018—prior to his tenure as Deputy Speaker. However, critics argue that his role in presiding over the recent session approving similar allocations presents a possible conflict of interest.
Despite these concerns, no Member of Parliament raised the issue of conflict during the debate. However, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi questioned the process, saying KCCA’s approval had not been secured.
KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki also confirmed that the Solicitor General had raised concerns over procedural lapses in the allocations.
Background on the Land in Question
On April 1, 2025, the Executive Director of KCCA wrote to Parliament seeking approval to lease—not dispose of—several properties:
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Plot 2, Kenneth Close in Kamwokya (proposed for Youth Alive Uganda)
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Plot M731, Old Kira Road
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Plot M880, off Spring Road
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Plot 406, Namirembe
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Plots M69 and M70 in Lugogo
KCCA justified the proposal as a revenue-generating measure through ground rent and property rentals, intended to support its budget for the next financial year.
Parliament had previously approved leases for Plot M880 (off Spring Road) and Plot 406 (Namirembe), but withheld approval for the Kamwokya and Lugogo properties. Lawmakers instructed KCCA to fast-track valuation of Plot 2 and the Lugogo plots, and to secure clearance from the Ministry of Finance for Plot 731.
Despite lingering concerns over procedure and an alleged disregard for council oversight, Parliament has now cleared all remaining plots—setting the stage for KCCA to proceed with the leases.
In response to the criticism, Tayebwa defended the process, citing Section 34(6) of the Public Finance Management Act, which he said allows Parliament to approve such leases without requiring additional consultation.
The KCCA investigation is ongoing. Additional Reporting by Bbeg Media
