{UAH} Hon. Tumwebaze - Adverse Service Taxation for Small Town Plots

Land fragmentation is one of the major causes to slum development.

 

Though slums in Kampala have developed largely in wetlands, landlords desire to cash in on the land bonanza has created a rare type of land division. KCCA and other towns would consider some of these options:

 

a.        All land in wetlands is governed by the environmental regulations- UMEME, NWSC, UNRA and KCCA should deny developments into such areas provisions of the above services. KCCA would not be the first to carry out such action – it has been done world over. Criminalize service provision in wetlands

b.       Land owners on dry land which is fragmented should pay an “adverse service tax”. Implying KCCA has to provide exclusive adversity provision. This will call on MLHUD to come up with a planned area standard code for acceptable plot size. The smaller the plot size, the high the “adverse service tax”

c.        The above also goes to land owners to be mindful of land utilisation. For example buildings in planned areas should be designed in such a way that access roads have a minimum width with a sizeable pavement for service provisions i.e. water, drainage, ambulance, fire exits, power and telecommunication line corridors etc. Land owners (landlords) in planned areas, should be given one year to come up with site plans for these service provisions clearly delineated and subsequently open up a file with Town Land Use registry if it exists.

d.       Slums have also developed under power lines, road reserves which normally are used for service provisions distribution, railway reserves. MLHUD could offer a transitional period, to all dwelling into such reserve to move away. A one year moratorium on new developments and vacation of such areas is very conducive.

e.       Development and premises on land adjacent to road curves and access roads should also be compelled to adjust their buildings accordingly as per point c.

f.         There are many unregulated land development in Kampala. I will argue that MLHUD stops land owners from constructing unstudied road construction specifically uphill. These roads are rivers systems, causing flooding and silt into the city.

 

Best

 

Bwanika

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Bwanika Nakyesawa Luwero