Kampala — RESIDENTS of Bwaise in Kawempe division have declined to vacate a five-acre piece of land in the city suburb owned by the Kabaka (king) of Buganda.

The land under contention covers three zones of Katale, Jambula, and Lufula along Bwaise-Nabweru road.

The Buganda kingdom recently granted the land to Global Star (U) Ltd., a private company under Mengo government, for redevelopment.

"(We) have offered Global Star the opportunity to develop and upgrade Bwaise market into an ultra modern purpose complex," read Mengo's July 8, 2008 letter to the company's Managing Director.

However, during a general assembly held at Baseesa Hall in Bwaise, over 500 tenants vowed not to get off the land, accusing the Mengo establishment of betrayal.

"Most of us have stayed on this land for the past 70 years. We shall not allow anyone, whether from Mengo or the central government, to grab it," said Saddam Bisase, the chairman of their umbrella association against imposing investors (JRCCAII).

But the chairperson of the Buganda Land Board, Kiwalabye Male, yesterday defended the project saying it would spur development in the area and asked residents to welcome it.

Citing Nakasero and St. Balikuddembe markets' vendors, the tenants appealed to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II to grant them an opportunity, as bona fide occupants, to develop the land themselves.

They said they were not against development, but wanted favourable consideration. "Land in Bwaise costs billions. If Mengo is to evict us, they should compensate us accordingly," they said.