Property mogul Rajiv Ruparelia’s plans of erecting an all-sport stadium in Kololo, Kampala are thwarted by selfish actors at Kololo Secondary School who have been paying off ghetto dwellers to fight the developers.
But to Rajiv, the selfish individuals had the opportunity to develop the land more than 40 years ago before government handed him the title, realizing that Kololo SS would do nothing.
“The Kololo SS land belongs to government of Uganda and that land was allocated to Premier Academy an affiliation of Kampala Parents. And that land between Kololo SS and Premier Academy was jointly being used as a sports field,” Rajiv explained the genesis of the fight.
He wonders why the school had the chance to develop the land from 1956. “Until today they keep telling us that they have the ability to develop it. It is quite shocking that at a time we have come out expressing willingness to develop the land, Kololo SS management also wants to when we have the title”
Rajiv, the rally ace explained that he wants to build a stadium, football academy, gym and conference facility for the sports fraternity.
“Of course there will be a fee, but a nominal fee for the sports fraternity who will use it until they start learning how to commercialize sport.”
He added that unfortunately the selfish individuals in Kololo SS are derailing the project by trying to grab the land.
Asked how he intends to develop the land, Rajiv said he will first put boundary wall and a gatehouse to control flow of people and then the stadium will take 2 to three years to develop.
“You when the Ruparelias say they are doing this, it is done. We are very committed to this project which in my view will benefit all the sports fans in the country.”