Kampala Capital City Authority has denied claims that its enforcement team held alleged offenders hostage at City Hall, saying the individuals seen in videos circulating on social media were under the custody of Police and the court.
In a statement, KCCA Executive Director said the authority had taken note of the videos and allegations, but clarified that City Hall hosts several government agencies whose work is separate from KCCA enforcement operations.
Among them is the Judiciary, which operates a Grade II Magistrate’s Court at City Hall. The court receives alleged offenders from both KCCA enforcement operations and Police operations.
According to KCCA, the court’s catchment area includes Kira Police, Nateete Police, Central Police Station, Old Kampala, Katwe-Kabalagala, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, KCCA and Parliament of Uganda.
City Hall also hosts the Ministry Zonal Office, which handles land matters under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, as well as offices of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
KCCA said the individuals allegedly released were not in the custody of its enforcement officers, but under Police and court processes.
The authority further said the incident is alleged to have involved one of the city’s elected leaders, who reportedly interfaced with judicial processes in a manner now being handled by the relevant institutions.
“The matter is being handled within the structures of the Judiciary and the Uganda Police Force whose processes were allegedly interfered with,” KCCA said.
The authority said it trusts the two institutions to handle the matter in line with justice, law and order.
KCCA said it remains committed to lawful procedures and to working with other institutions in delivering services to the people of Kampala.
