A controversy has arisen in Mukono Municipality involving Dr Anthony Kkonde, the Health Director, who is alleged to have encroached upon land that previously housed the District Community Youth Centre.
The centre, established in the early 1990s and encompassing Kyaggwe Social Centre, a resource facility initiated in 1995 through funding from Nanji Kalidas Metha, has long been a hub for recreational and sports activities, as well as offering computer and ICT services, leisure facilities, and youth counseling. Situated within Mukono Central Division, the facility includes a basketball court and a garden.
In 2019, Dr Kkonde reportedly attempted to acquire a plot of land measuring 0.642 hectares in Upper Kauga, behind the Mukono district headquarters. However, the district leadership intervened, asserting that the land was previously allocated to accommodate Mukono Health Centre IV workers before it was upgraded to a hospital.
Efforts to establish developments on the land were thwarted by the district’s forceful actions. They halted Dr Konde’s construction activities, confiscated building materials, and even arrested some of the builders. Health workers who had initially vacated the premises were reinstated.
Dr Kkonde contended that he obtained a 47-year lease from the Buganda Land Board in 2017 to establish a skilling center for youth and a kindergarten for orphans. He later shifted his efforts to the youth centre, claiming to have obtained authorization from Namulondo Investments.
The then Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), James Nkata, warned Dr Kkonde against interfering with the centre, asserting its custodianship by the district. Nkata collaborated with the Resident District Commissioner’s office to halt any renovations on the youth centre building. A letter was also sent to the Municipal Town Clerk, Godfrey Kisekka, inquiring about the reasons for allowing renovations on district-mandated buildings.
Dr Kkonde resumed his efforts after changes in leadership occurred, with Elizabeth Namanda becoming the new Chief Administrative Officer and Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa taking over as District Chairman. He placed a signpost declaring the centre as the headquarters of his organization, the ‘Child Care and Youth Empowerment Foundation.’
The foundation’s manager converted the resource centre’s offices and storerooms into her new residence. The foundation also instructed the Uganda Peoples Defence Force to vacate a portion of the land they were occupying for monitoring purposes.
Elizabeth Namanda, the new CAO, mentioned plans to consult the Solicitor General and the Buganda Land Board regarding the issue. She criticized ‘Namulondo Investments’ for supporting the takeover of government property by a government official, despite its management being under the district.
Denis Bugaya, the Buganda Land Board Spokesperson, advised the district to formalize their land ownership to prevent encroachment.
Despite attempts to seek clarity from Dr Kkonde, he declined to respond, redirecting inquiries to Antony-Namumira Ward Chairperson Steven Kiggundu, who also abstained from commenting on the matter.
Over time, Mukono District has lost approximately 29 acres of land to private developers.