Jinja City authorities order removal of businesses encroaching on service lanes
Police and fire trucks have struggled to respond to emergencies in these areas, making enforcement critical to public safety.
Jinja: Jinja City Council has issued a 14-day ultimatum for businesses and developments encroaching on designated service lanes in Jinja Southern Division to vacate or face legal action, including demolition.
The directive, outlined in a letter signed by Town Clerk Nathan Kitakule, follows a series of fire incidents on Spire Road and Obote Way, which severely damaged properties and exposed the dangers posed by obstructed emergency access routes.
City authorities emphasize that service lanes are critical for utility providers such as water, electricity, and telecommunications companies, emergency services like firefighters, ambulances, and police and accessibility to adjacent properties.
Encroachments have hampered emergency response efforts, raising serious safety concerns.
The enforcement is backed by the Physical Planning Act, 2010, which requires all developments within a planning area to receive official approval.
Section 33(3) of the Act declares that unauthorized developments are null and void and must be discontinued.
Additionally, the Building Control Regulations, 2020, mandate strict compliance with approved physical planning standards.
Since achieving city status on June 30, 2020, Jinja has been operating under the Model City Physical Development Plan (2023-2033). With 80% of Jinja Southern Division already planned, authorities are now prioritizing urban development regulations to ensure organized growth and public safety.
The notice warns that failure to comply within 14 days will result in demolition of unauthorized structures and legal penalties without further notice.
Authorities urge affected developers and vendors to voluntarily vacate to avoid forced evictions and potential property loss.
This directive also tackles the widespread issue of blocked alleys in Jinja City, where some developers have constructed buildings or gates obstructing emergency access.
Police and fire trucks have struggled to respond to emergencies in these areas, making enforcement critical to public safety.
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