Leaders and community members in Dokolo town council have on Thursday come together to discuss the development of Kaguta Street.
This is in response to the 2012 court ruling in favor of the community surrounding the street, which has resulted in Dokolo town council being ordered to pay a fine and to seek the community’s consent before making another development.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday at Dokolo main market, focused on the town council’s plan to put a low cost ceiling worth 450 million on the street.
Kaguta Street, located just 600 meters from Angwecibange Primary School and running towards Dokolo-Lira highway through late Imat Mary residence, has been a contentious issue for the community and town council.
In 2011, the community took the town council to court for opening the road without their consent.
And while the court ruled in favor of the community, they have been receiving payments from the town council in installments since 2012.
Richard Alal, who coordinates the community involved in the court case, emphasized the importance of a stakeholders meeting before any development can take place.
He stated that despite being directed by their lawyer to be call for a meeting in case of any plans for the road, the town council has failed to do so.
Quinis Haggard Owani, one of the engineers attached to Dokolo district local government, explained the plan to put a low cost ceiling worth over 400 million on Kaguta Street and it’s benefits to the development of Dokolo town council.
He urged the community to understand the importance of this project and to work together to ensure its success.
Owani also addressed the concerns of those who have received payments from the town council as a result of the court ruling.
He assured them that consenting to the low cost ceiling project will not affect their ongoing payments.
In addition, Owani highlighted the issue of rubbish being dumped along the road site by some community members. This, he says, is not only a health hazard but also hinders the proper management and maintenance of the road.
Dokolo town council’s town clerk, Bernard Opige, also weighed in on the matter.
He stated that since the court ruling in 2012, the town council has been making payments to the community and is close to completing its obligations.
He called on the community to support the low cost ceiling project, as it will bring much-needed improvements to Kaguta Street.
However, Opige acknowledged that while most of the community members have agreed to the project, there are some who are still expressing concerns.
He emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns in order to move forward with the development plans.
According to Apili James Otto, the district’s chairperson, their leadership has prioritized urbanization by implementing security lighting and affordable ceiling options.
They urge the urban community to embrace this development.
“Although I would have preferred to have these low-cost ceilings in rural areas, our town council, being a hub for visitors, takes the lead in this type of progress,” he explained.
The group then unanimously agreed to hold the next meeting at the district chairperson’s office on Monday to finalize their decision.
