Gulu Landlords Plead With Gulu Municipal Officials Over Condemned Buildings

Landlords and local traders in Gulu Municipality have asked for more time to relocate from their houses and structures condemned by the Gulu municipal authorities.

In early February, the Municipal Council resolved to demolish old structures that have been found to be dangerous for human habitation.

The development comes on the heels of plans to develop some of the major roads within the town with funding from Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

A team formed by the Municipal Council that carried out an assessment in mid-February identified and recommended for demolition  more than 200 houses in the four divisions of  Gulu municipality– Layibi, Bar-Dege, Pece and Laroo.

Some of the structures identified for demolished include; grass-thatched houses, old commercial buildings, kiosk and other temporary structures.

The Gulu municipal council resolution has been met with fierce resistance with a section of the landlords threatening to drag the council to court.

In a meeting attended by Francis Barabanawe, the Gulu Town Clerk and George Labeja, the Mayor, one of the landlords, Tom Otim, a resident of Bar-Dege asked the Municipal Council for more time for them [landlords] to renovate their old buildings.

Otim faulted the municipal council for imposing development on people instead of making it inclusive.

Samuel Ocen who operates a kiosk in Pece division said he is not against development of Gulu municipality but wants more time to relocate his kiosk.

Gulu municipality is aspiring to attain a city status.

Irene Adong who also operates a kiosk in Gulu town said the order of the municipality is a threat to her livelihood. Like other petty traders, she wants the Gulu municipal authorities to give her more time to relocate.

Ocaya Acellam a former legal advisor to the municipality and one of those affected by the resolution to demolish old buildings and structures said they [landlords] do not rule out the possibility of seeking legal redress.

Addressing the landowners and traders at the Municipal Council yard on Wednesday last week, George Labeja, the Gulu Municipal Mayor said the municipal will go ahead with the plan to demolish old structures.

Labeja says the old buildings and structures puts the life of the occupants at risk.

In 2008, a part of one of the condemned structures in Gulu town killed a primary school pupil who had sought shelter in it during a downpour.