Sylvia Kugonza
Philemon Asiimwe, a businessman in Fort Portal Tourism City whose buildings were demolished by Fort Portal City authorities, has threatened to drag the City council to courts of law.
The demolishing
Led by the City Mayor, Asaba Edison Ruyonga, City authourities on Monday demolished the two buildings belonging to a one Philemon Asiimwe.
The act of demolishing, follows allegations of the buildings having been constructed on the banks of River Mpanga , at Hakabaale in Central Division along Fort- Kijura Road.
In an interview with our reporter, Asiimwe has earlier today threatened to drag the city council for the illegal eviction.
The developer, accuses City authorities including Mayor Asaba Edison Ruyonga, Central Division Mayor Richard Muhumuza, Physical Planner Samuel Musana and Nyabukara Ward councillor Joseph Ndamira Musirikale for conniving to frustrate his efforts to have his physical plan approved.
In an exclusive interview, Samuel Masana, the physical planner Fort Portal city, says the developer was within the 100metre reserve from the river bank, had no approved plans and had defied several warnings given to him.
He adds that allegations of intentions to defraud him are untrue and intended to cast bad light on them.
What the law states
According to the National Environment (Wetlands, River Banks And Lake Shores Management) as embedded Under section 107 of the National Environmental Act Cap 153;
The developer
- A developer desiring to conduct a project which may have a significant impact on a wetland, river bank or lake shore, shall be required to carry out an environmental impact assessment in accordance with sections 19, 20 and 21 of the Act.
Cap. 269. - The developer mentioned in sub-regulation (1) shall carry out annual audits
and monitoring on such activities, and shall submit report to the Executive Director
and the lead agency in accordance with section 22 and 23 of the Act - No activity shall permitted within protected zones without the written authority of the Executive Director.
Local government committee
- A local environment committee within whose jurisdiction an activity likely to degrade the
environment, river banks or lake shores is taking place, shall - (i) inform the district environment officer in writing for appropriate action;
- (ii) ensure protection of all the banks and shores;
Philemon Asiimwe, however reveals that authorities have purportedly been conniving to defraud him of his 20 Million shillings before having his structural plans approved.
However, our reporter could not independently verify the allegation.
