Police Denies Chinese Land Deal

The Uganda Police has dismissed allegations that a Chinese military hardware firm has taken over a piece of land next to Jinja Road Police Station.

This week, the local publication ran a story titled “Chinese firm takes over prime Police Land.” According to the article, a Chinese military hardware firm, Poly Technologies Incorporated (PTI), has taken over the police quartermaster land under a secret deal. The story went on further to state that some units of the police have been moved and others are racing against time to leave the place.

However, the police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba has denied the allegations. In a press release, Nabakooba says this is totally false.

According to her, the land along Jinja Road which houses the Directorate of Logistics and Engineering remains Police land. She says it is being prepared for installation of garment factory for the police force. She goes on to say the land on Acacia Avenue, which has been housing the Counter Terrorism Headquarters, is also still in police hands. It is being prepared for construction of a Cancer Centre. These projects are being undertaken for the good of the Police personnel and their families, according to Nabakooba.

She says since 2008, the Uganda Police has been involved in the process of acquiring accommodation using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Strategy, with the technical support of Ministry of Finance.

The police spokesperson says the process is advanced, but is still ongoing, including negotiations with different private developers that have expressed interest in participating in the Police PPP housing project. Nabakooba says the process has been transparent, and within the framework, and with authority of existing law, especially, the PPDA Act.