Numerous building proposals are currently stalled at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) amid allegations of corruption within the Directorate of Physical Planning.
An anonymous informant shared his troubling experience with this publication, revealing that despite submitting his plans seven year ago now, he has yet to receive approval for his construction project.
The informant stated that he was instructed to make a payment to facilitate the approval process. He allegedly initially paid shs32 million, followed by another shs32 million, but he did not receive any receipts for these payments, and his plans remain unapproved to date.
It is alleged that these funds are being distributed among certain individuals within the directorate.
The entire network involved in this corruption scheme reportedly starts with the receptionist and the secretary at the directorate, extending to local MPs and the Lord Councilor from whom the applicants seek assistance.
Sources indicate that when applicants experience prolonged delays, they often run to their local MPs or councilors for support, who in turn also request for bribes to facilitate the process.
According to the source, applicants seeking approval of their plans, have to part with roughly shs100 million to have their plans approved.
This publication has also discovered that some applicants become victims of fraudsters who, under the guise of assistance, flee with their funds.
The difficulty in securing the necessary amount leads to many proposals being left in limbo for long stretches, often resulting in their eventual rejection.
The source remarked, that if individuals who are able to afford this fee are still indecisive about their plans, what about those who cannot.
Reports suggest that Members of Parliament and Lords Councilors frequently ask for bribes depending on the specifics of the projects being proposed.
Numerous individuals have abandoned their projects due to the pervasive corruption within the system, he emphasized.
“I cannot justify spending $40,000 to obtain a building plan for a commercial property,” the source remarked.
KCCA’s weekly reports indicate that the institution receives more than 40 applications from property owners keen to initiate construction.
However, many face obstacles due to the absence of plan approvals. During its weekly sessions, the physical planning committee reviews only 25 plans for approval.
This scenario results in frustration for property owners, causing some to halt their construction efforts, while others resort to falsifying documents to expedite their projects, which often leads to shoddy construction and collapses.
