Hotel Brovad Limited, one of the biggest hotels in Masaka is under investigations for illegal land deals.
The probe stems from the Hotel's alleged involvement in the irregular acquiring of two plots of land located along circular road in Mutuba gardens.
On Friday morning, Management of Hotel Brovad appeared before the six-member probe committee chaired by Achilles Mawanda to explain circumstances under which the Hotel Brovad acquired plot 8A and Plot 8.
Mawanda, said the Management of Hotel Brovad led by Kassim Ssembajja, the General Manager of Hotel Brovad were tasked to explain how they acquired the two plots of land, initially considered public land.
The hotel managers were also asked to explain wher they got the authority to close a public road- Circular Street and construct their own new Hotel facility covering close to an acre near the Masaka Liberation Square.
Kassim Ssembajja, the General Manager Hotel Brovad was asked to submit documentary evidence to support his submission.
Ssembajja however described the allegations as rumours intended to sabotage Hotel Brovad development plans. He explained that between 2004 and 2006, Hotel Brovad applied to Masaka Municipal council to close Circular Street in Mutuba gardens, and opened Mutuba Avenue to divert traffic.
Ssembajja says the then Town Clerk Gwavu Kiwanuka supported by the Municipal council allowed them to close the road. He told the probe committee that before acquiring plot 8A and plot 8, they applied for a lease and their application was granted by Masaka district land board.
He displayed receipts, invoices, and supporting documents, Ssembajja said that they paid Ugh.365,500 shillings to Masaka district administration before acquiring the plots.
According to Ssembajja, Hotel Brovad now legally owns both plot 8A and Plot 8 until its 49 year lease offer expires.
Achilles Mawanda, the Ad hoc committee chairperson said they will make a report after inquiring from many other officials implicated including Fr. Joseph Kaita, the Masaka district Land Board Chairman. He says Fr. Kaita is expected to appear before the committee on January 16 this year.
Masaka District has been hit by a wave of land grabbing.
Other plots of land whose allocation is disputed include Mayor’s chambers which were allegedly allocated to Brig. Moses Kayemba, Budukilochildren’s Home, which was sold to Maj. Kenneth Muhiirwe, and Kizungu Municipal plot, which was also sold to Brig James Mugira, the director of Military Intelligence.
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