Kampala-City property mogul, Sudhir Rupaleria under his companyPremier Academy Ltd, the proprietors of Kampala Parents School 2004 and Kololo Senior Secondary School have signed an “access and usage” Memorandum of Understanding that among others details how the two schools will share a modern sports complex, to be built by the latter in land, previously owned by Kololo S.S.
Premier Academy Limited was issued a 99-year lease (Leasehold Register Volume 4456, Folio 4) by the Uganda Land Commission on September 6, 2013 on condition that they re-develop part of Kololo S.S.S land located on Plot 8-12 Saddler Way into a modern sports complex to be shared by both schools. This followed a no-objection from the Education Ministry.
Although the two schools had a mutual understanding and have always shared the undeveloped 6-acresports grounds, the MoU now paves way for the re-development of the land into a state-of-the-art sports complex.
Dr James Nkatta, the Chairman Board of Governors, Ms Margaret Watuwa, Head teacher Kololo SS & David Nkojjo, Chairman Parents Teachers Association signed on behalf of the school, while Mr Sudhir Ruparelia, the Proprietor, Kampala Parents signed on behalf of his school.
The Solicitor General, represented by Mr Ben Turyasingura in a June 2, 2015 letter to the Chairman, Board of Governors, did not object to the MoU.
Facilities
The proposed Lugogo sports centre comprises of multi-game facilities such as a standard size football pitch, a 25 meter swimming pool and 2 running/athletics tracks (200 meters and 400 meters). It will also have modern basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis and badminton courts.
According to the MoU, these facilities will be shared by both schools on an agreed time-table, to be periodically drawn and agreed upon by a management committee that consists of persons seconded by both parties.
The committee shall have a chairperson and vice chairperson who shall be elected from and by the management team on a yearly basis and on a rotation basis “such that at no time will the chairperson and vice chairperson be from the same party”.
The facility will also have a fitness centre, sports cafe and restaurant, a martial arts, boxing, dance and gymnastics studios, 50 meters and 25 meters shooting ranges, climbing walls and multi-purpose rooms for meetings.Both parties agreed that these will be available to the public on a commercial basis, so as to allow the developers raise revenues to support maintenance of the facility.
Kololo SSS will also be allowed a 10 percent finder’s commission for all business brought in for the commercial facilities.
Kampala Parents will entirely finance the development of the center at a cost of US$5 million approximately (Shs15.5 billion). According to Mr Sudhir, construction works will start in the second half of this year and will be complete by December 2016.
Dr. Nkatta hailed the initiative as significant for not only the two schools, but also for the communities around and the sports industry in Uganda.
“Kololo SS has been known as a sports giant for especially football and cricket. This world-class facility will improve our sports talent and make us even shine more. Such a facility will raise the profile of the school and make us a sports hub not only in Uganda but in the region as well,” he said.
He also reassured all stakeholders of the school that the school’s interests had been well catered for in the MoU.
For his part, Sudhir hailed the initiative as a milestone for the two schools and children.
“Other than Lugogo indoor stadium, the whole of Kampala does not have anyother multi-discipline sports facility. I see this as a win-win for our schools, the surrounding communities and the people of Kampala who will be able to have access to these world class facilities.”
