Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-22 04:40:15
Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, recently received the land title for the Lugogo sports complex from Dorcas Okalany, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Lands. This event attracted attention as it confirmed that the complex is actually owned by the National Council of Sports (NCS).
The Lugogo sports complex, which includes the Indoor stadium (MTN arena) and the cricket oval, has long been associated with the NCS. The state minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, publicly presented the land title to Minister Museveni, sparking controversy with the Uganda Sports Union (USU) claiming ownership of the property. However, documents reveal that the USU was granted a lease in 1956 to occupy the land on Coronation Avenue, which includes the NCS premises.
The Lugogo Sports Complex was initiated as a private project by individuals such as S.W. Kulubya, A. Maini, and Mrs. Saben, along with companies like Mehta and Madhvani group, to provide sports facilities for talent development. Over the years, the relationship between USU and NCS was amicable, with NCS paying ground rent to USU trustees.
In 2005, a civil suit by NCS resulted in a consent judgement granting them a lease for Plot 2 to 10, known as Lugogo Sports Complex, subject to the existing interests of USU trustees. However, in 2011, NCS received the land title without USU’s knowledge, leading to a dispute over ownership. USU discovered the change in ownership in 2020 when NCS applied to add UOC to the land title.
Efforts to resolve the dispute have been unsuccessful, with NCS officials remaining silent on the matter. Minister Ogwang has affirmed that the land belongs to NCS, prompting USU to take legal action to determine ownership. The complex history and conflicting claims highlight the complexity of land ownership in Uganda, with the courts expected to provide clarity on the matter.
Overall, the issue of ownership of the Lugogo sports complex underscores the importance of proper documentation and legal processes in determining land ownership. As the dispute unfolds in court, it will be crucial to uphold the rule of law and respect the rights of all parties involved.
Read Original article on The Observer
