NAGURU RESIDENTS’ ALERT LEADS TO KCCA ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL DEVELOPMENT

An illegally constructed restaurant that had become a concern for residents in Naguru was demolished on Friday as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) moved to protect the character of the neighbourhood and enforce orderly development in the city.

The structure had attracted complaints from neighbouring residents who said it affected the appearance of the area and interfered with the views and environment that contribute to the character of the Naguru neighbourhood.

The demolition comes days after a similar enforcement operation at Centenary Park, where KCCA removed three illegal structures on Thursday after establishing that they had been constructed within the Kampala Flyover Project corridor without the necessary approvals.

KCCA said the actions are part of its continued efforts to ensure that developments across the city comply with physical planning requirements and do not compromise the interests of communities, planned infrastructure and public spaces.

Following an inspection by KCCA’s Physical Planning Directorate, officials established that the Naguru structure had been constructed without following the required planning procedures and without the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.

KCCA Director of Physical Planning Vincent Byendaimira commended the residents for speaking up and reporting the development, saying community vigilance plays an important role in helping the authority identify and address developments that do not comply with approved planning standards.

The authority encouraged residents across Kampala to continue reporting suspected illegal developments through the available channels, noting that partnerships between communities and city authorities are critical in creating a well-planned and organised city.

Byendaimira said the authority will continue enforcing planning regulations to ensure that Kampala develops in an organised and sustainable manner.

“Developers have a responsibility to follow the proper planning procedures before putting up any structure,” Byendaimira said. “We caution property owners and investors against undertaking developments without approval because such actions can affect neighbouring communities and undermine orderly urban growth.”

He encouraged developers to engage KCCA’s Physical Planning Directorate before starting construction to ensure their projects meet approved planning standards and avoid losses associated with unauthorised developments.

Under Uganda’s Physical Planning Act Cap 142, all developments must obtain approval from the relevant planning authority and conform to approved physical development plans. The law empowers planning authorities to take enforcement action against developments that do not meet required planning standards.

KCCA said the Naguru demolition reflects its commitment to protecting residents’ interests, maintaining the quality of neighbourhoods and promoting a well-planned Kampala where development takes place in harmony with the city’s long-term vision.

As Kampala continues to expand, the authority said compliance with planning regulations remains essential to creating safe, attractive and sustainable communities for all residents.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali 
Communication and Media Relations Officer