TIME TO DO THINGS RIGHT: TINYE SHOULD GET ANOTHER HOUSE

The house whose ownership battle has pitted the KCCA boss against the spy chief. PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU - The official residence of Kampala City Mayor
The Lord Mayor for Kampala city deserves an executive residence. These excuses are not tenable. To see security a reality does not limit Tinyenfunza to the Official residence of the political head of Kampala city. The civilized thing to do is to get or rent another premise.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

I'LL ARREST MUSISI, WARNS GEN. TINYEFU
By Robert Mwanje & Mercy Nalugo

Posted Friday, July 22 2011 at 00:00
The Coordinator of Intelligence Services, Gen. David Tinyefuza, yesterday threatened to arrest the Kampala Capital City Authority executive director if she attempts to evict him from the official mayoral residence.
Featuring on a local radio station, Gen. Tinyefuza said the controversial house was serving the State’s security interests and not his personal comfort.
“I will arrest that woman; I’m not occupying that house as an individual. It is used to serve interests of national security,” Gen. Tinyefuza said in Kampala yesterday.
The remarks come days after Ms Jennifer Kiwanuka Musisi issued a July 19 letter serving a 14-day ultimatum on the General to vacate the premises.
The house located on Plot 2 Mabua Road in plush Kololo is the official city mayor’s residence but was controversially occupied by Gen. Tinyefuza in March 2008 upon a directive of then local government minister, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire.
But KCCA authorities have scoffed at General Tinyefuza’s utterances, saying their attention is focused on rescuing the Authority’s properties and nothing else.
The executive director’s personal assistant, Mr Patrick Mugenyi, said: “We can’t react to that but we can confirm that we are underway to recover KCCA property.”

Lukwago’s position
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago echoed Ms Musisi’s position, saying KCCA has the mandate to reclaim its property since it was occupied irregularly.
“Tinyefuza should desist from issuing threats. That house is KCCA property and there is no agreement between him and the authority,” Mr Lukwago said yesterday afternoon.
A day after Ms Musisi wrote notifying him that he must have vacated the premises by August 2, Gen. Tinyefuza replied. He indicated that the property is currently the centre of intelligence and security services.
“For the sake of emphasis, I wish to stress that I do not reside or use this property for personal work. It serves government in its effort to maintain peace and security in the country,” Gen. Tinyefuza’s letter read in part.
“I therefore find your letter (July 19 letter) offensive and irresponsible. You are free to come and evict whoever you want and I wish you luck.”

House taken?
The house, which by the time of Tinyefuza’s takeover was valued at Shs5 billion, currently appears run-down. There are unverified claims that the place has been quietly sold off to an unknown real estate developer for about Shs800 million.