The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) has petitioned President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene and stop Kampala City Council from leasing out the Lugogo sports ground.
The grounds which are used for parking during the annual trade shows were leased by Kampala City Council (KCC) to Valley View Estate to construct residential flats.
During the official opening of the 5th bi-annual Eastern Trade Fair in Mbale Municipal Stadium, UMA chairperson, James Kalibala, said that the lease would have an adverse effect on the annual trade shows because the Lugogp grounds is a vital parking ground for exhibitors and trade show goers.
In February 2002, the association's executive director, Hillary Obonyo, asked KCC former town clerk, Gordon Mwesigye to allocate the land to UMA because its very integral importance to the success of the international trade fair.
But KCC wrote back indicating that the land was reserved for recreational purposes and could not be reverted to other uses.
Kalibala told the president that he was irked by the statements made by the Local government minister, Kahinda Otafiire, that the land was under utilized by UMA.
He says Otafire ignored the fact that manufacturers are sitting tenants who have invested billions of shillings in Lugogo UMA show grounds.
The president however assured Kalibala that no body would take the grounds.
