UGANDA: AGHA KHAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MAYBE A STILL BIRTH IN GULU CITY KAUNDA GROUNDS

Part of the contested Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City (File Photo).
GULU CITY – TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025
By Livingstone Okumu Langol
Gulu City Physical Planning Committee approval to let out land at LRV 3243 FOLIO 9, plot M7 at Kaunda Grounds to Agha Khan to build an international school has stalled owing to public outcry.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the area MP for Gulu West City Division was one of the whistle-blowers, who on 5th December 2024, petitioned the Executive Director Uganda National Planning Authority opposing the move by Aghakan Foundation to change the public ground to an international school. The land in question measures about five acres.
According to Martin Ojara Mapenduzi letter, the Aga Khan Foundation on 27th of March 2024, submitted an application to change the user clause for the land which was leased to them several years ago for recreation purpose to build the international school.
Mapendizi stated in his letter, “I would like to state that I have no doubt about the capacity and the reputation of Aga Khan Foundation as it is known for very many positive contributions and support toward the growth and development of this country, and I welcome that good intention of establishing a school (anywhere else) in Gulu City. “However, the decision to change the user clause for the said land from what the community recognize as an open public-space for recreation for building a school is unfortunate and not well thought out,” the letter asserted.
“It is important to bring to your attention the following facts about this land: Kaunda Grounds is a public open-space and has for several decades been the grounds where local, national and international events/ceremonies are held,” the letter indicates.
“The name Kaunda Grounds was given in memory of a state visit by then president of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda in 1984 when he and Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, then president of Uganda addressed the nation jointly in Gulu. “This is the same ground that hosted Pope John Paul II in 1993 and other national and international leaders for decades,” the letter adds.
Gulu has always stood out as one of the best in hosting national and local functions including Acholi cultural festival that run for days.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi stated further that around 2014, when he was the Chairperson of Gulu District Local Government, a team from Agha Khan Foundation approached Gulu District leadership with a request to have the user clause for the same land changed to enable them build a hospital and school.
However, the district position was to support the building of a hospital and school in a different location not in Kaunda Grounds that would be maintained as a public open space.
He stated that they okayed offering an alternative piece of land bigger than the 5-acre piece of Kaunda Grounds.
“Unfortunately, we never heard from them again in the past years, our advice and suggestions were in the best interest of protecting Kaunda Grounds”, Mapenduzi stated.
Ojara stated that in 2015, during the national commemoration of the International Labour Day, President Museveni made a commitment that the government would develop Kaunda Grounds. Later, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade started working on some parts of Kaunda Grounds but stopped working pending an approval of a comprehensive design for the entire Kaunda Grounds as a public park.
Ojara stated that in August last year 2024, during the regional parliamentary sitting which was held in Gulu City at Kaunda Grounds, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament equally made pronouncement that parliament would provide support to Gulu City Clerk in October 2024 to submit to Parliament the design and BOQ for Kaunda Grounds work.
“I very much believe that you would greatly appreciate a city like Gulu having Kaunda Grounds to provide space for community event gatherings, relaxation, health and wellness activities, talent identification and development. “It is important to note that considering the population growth rate and development in Gulu City,” it deserves such public grounds, Ojara stated.
Ojok Obwona, Secretary Gulu City Land Board, when contacted for comment about the Agha Khan change of user clause, acknowledged that his office was contacted but added that the matter was now being handled by Executive National Planning.
“When the document will be returned from the ministry back to Gulu City the Land Board shall sit to decide the change of user clause,” Ojok Obwona informed.
Mukonyezi Evelyn, the Principal Land Management Officer, Gulu City says she is not aware about the matter concerning Agha Khan Foundation change of user clause in respect to the Kaunda Grounds..
She said if Agha Khan got leased the land for 99 years, finally they will use the said land.
“I don’t know when the issue of Agha Khan Kaunda Grounds 5 acres was brought before us,” Mukonyezi Evelyn said.
Eng. Christopher Ojok, one of the City Land Board members when reached for comment, says if Agha Kahn changed the user clause from recreation facility to building an International School, it will never work.
“We need open space for a green park,” Eng. Ojok, asserted.
Anges Oyella, Gulu City Physical Planner, who is also the Board Chairperson for Physical planning and construction however told the Black Guadian News that it would be possible for Agha khan Foundation to change the use of land to which they have a leasehold.
“You better talk to Alfred Okwonga, Gulu City Mayor or the City Clerk. “They are the official spokespersons for Gulu City. “For me, we have sent the document to the Executive National Planning Authority.” Agnes Oyella said.
“We are still waiting, when they return their recommendation to us, we shall act accordingly, for now our hands are tied,“ Agnes Oyella said.
Onena Amos, 36 years old, a roadside furniture dealer in Gulu City when the Black Star News reached him for comment, says the National executive Planning Authority has to listen to the public voices. I don’t support the change of user clause from recreation facility to constructing an international school.
Stella Akwero, 37 years old. a food vendor in Gulu Main Post Office, says instead of building an international school in Kaunda Grounds, let Gulu City Authority allocate a bigger land in Gulu City outskirt and give it to them. “We want to have Arts and Crafts shops when Kaunda Grounds finally gets a new facelift,” she said.
Alfred Okwonga, Gulu City Mayor when the Black Star News approached him on Monday January 20, 2025, says, last year when the Agha Khan Foundation approached Gulu City and presented their interest to change the user clause from recreation facilities for constructing an international school, he expressed reservation because he is for the recreation facility and he also needed to listen to the public voices.
He revealed that the Executive National Planning Authority came on the ground and visited Kaunda Grounds, and heard the public voices that rejected the plan by Agha Khan Foundation to change the user clause.
“As we talk now, the plan by Agha Khan Foundation to build an International School and construct a big swimming pool has been rejected,” Gulu City Mayor Okwonga said.
He re-affirmed that when the Parliament of Uganda sat in Gulu City, the Speaker of Parliament agreed to support the construction of a green park at Kaunda Grounds.