Residents of Bugolobi have taken a dispute with International Criminal Court judge Justice Julia Sebutinde to the High Court, seeking orders to stop the construction of a multi-storey building they say violates planning laws and their constitutional right to privacy.
The case, filed in the High Court in Kampala, involves four residents of Plot 8 on Princess Anne Drive, Bugolobi, among them the Secretary to the Judiciary, Pius Bigirimana.
The residents have sued Justice Sebutinde, her husband John Bagunywa Sebutinde, and the site supervisor, Joseph Wamala.
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The petition challenges the legality of a five-storey commercial apartment project under construction at Plot 8, Princess Anne Drive, in Nakawa Division.
The residents argue that the development is unlawful and inconsistent with the area's designation as a low-density residential neighbourhood.
In their pleadings, the residents also accuse Kampala Capital City Authority of unlawfully permitting a commercial high-rise building in what they say was planned and gazetted strictly as a residential zone.
They contend that the approval contravenes mandatory provisions of the Building Control Act and has fundamentally altered the character of Bugolobi Bungalows.
According to court documents, the plaintiffs state that in 2022 the developers approached the Local Council I chairperson of Bungalows I village seeking a letter of no objection to construct a multi-storeyed commercial apartment block.
The local council leadership reportedly declined the request and advised that only renovation of the existing residential house could be considered, given the zoning of the area.
Despite this, the residents claim Kampala Capital City Authority proceeded to issue a building permit without the mandatory endorsement from the local council.
The plaintiffs further argue that the approval effectively amounted to an unlawful change of land use, transforming what they describe as a quiet residential setting into a commercial enclave.
They allege that the construction has caused excessive noise, dust and vibrations, interfered with water and sewerage lines serving neighbouring homes, and significantly reduced the value of surrounding properties.
In an affidavit filed in court, Bigirimana states that his home is directly opposite the construction site and that the five-storey structure overlooks his bedroom, bathroom, living areas and compound.
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He argues that this has severely undermined his family's privacy and subjected them to constant disturbance, sleepless nights and psychological distress.
The matter is now before the High Court, with the Deputy Registrar in charge of the Civil Division, Simon Kintu Zirintusa, expected to deliver a ruling next Tuesday.
