Dispute over the ownership of the land covering the demolished market space for the St. Balikuddembe market vendors has taken a twist as mzee John Baptist (JB) Kivumbi who claims its perennial lawful ownership asks Court to allow his application, seeking to add the prominent Kampala businessman Hamis Kiggundu commonly known as Ham on his case under which he challenges his dispossession from the prime property.
This follows destruction of the disputed property on Saturday March 7 night by the businessman, claiming that it is aimed at paving way for the expansion of the Nakivubo drainage Channel ongoing reconstruction project.
The said move has ever since been condemned by KCCA, describing the incident as reckless, carried out without the demolition permit.
Speaking exclusively to Blazer News Times, Kivumbi accused Ham of illegally demolishing buildings on what he calls his land, which should be handled by Court expeditiously.
Kivumbi who has been indisposed for a long time confirmed to this news Website that he has been in possession of the land covering the demolished structures for a very long time as a lawful owner before it was taken over by the KCCA in 2022.
Blazer News Times could independently verify this claim from other credible sources.
KCCA’s takeover of Owino market management with 16 others, stemmed from a presidential directive aimed at returning all the public markets in Kampala city under government control.
According to Kivumbi, he is battling against KCCA in the High Court Land and Civil Divisions, challenging its takeover of the disputed property that he claims contravenes Article 26 of the Constitution which provide for the prior compensation if government intended to use any personal property for its programmes.
“Ham destroyed all my shops. I don’t know him and I have never given him permission”. Kivumbi told Blazer News Times
Kivumbi accuses Ham of acting with what he called impunity with no respect for an ongoing Court process. “By the time he demolished, I was in Court battling government for having taken over my property illegally” He said.
Kivumbi confirmed that on appearance of his legal team before Court on Tuesday applied for an addition of Ham on the suit to enable them effectively challenge his actions.
“Ham disregarded the Court process by taking over when the case has not been determined”.
Kivumbi insists that the government must consider the Constitution that commands for adequate and fair compensation regarding acquisition of any property.
Efforts by this news Website to seek a comment from Ham were futile.
