KAMPALA, Uganda — Prominent Kampala businessman Ssalongo Drake Lubega has come out to address the recent allegations made by traders renting space in his buildings, particularly the Pentagon building opposite the new taxi park.
In a phone call with this website, Lubega dismissed the accusations of micromanaging the traders’ operations and denying them opportunities to sub-rent their rooms as unfounded.
However, Lubega expressed concern over the traders’ behavior, citing instances of property destruction and obstruction of corridor passages to other levels.
“The traders in the building have been causing destruction of property and obstructing corridor passages to other levels,” Lubega said. “The congestion is severe, with passages to other floors and customer access severely impeded.”
Lubega specifically pointed out that the traders operating on the basement floor, who sell shoes, have also encroached on the food court area, transforming it into a hardware section.
“Their intention is to restrict customer movement to other floors, where clothing stores are located, and instead, confine them to the basement level for shoe purchases,” Lubega explained.
Despite multiple meetings and warnings, Lubega said the traders have refused to comply with his requests to keep the corridors clear.
“We have removed the unnecessary mesh barriers they had erected, ensuring that people can move freely, as is the case in other buildings and floors,” Lubega said.
Lubega’s clarification comes amid growing tensions between him and the traders, who have accused him of being overly controlling and restrictive in his management of the building.
The Pentagon building, located opposite the new taxi park in Kampala, is a major commercial hub, hosting a variety of businesses, including retail shops, restaurants, and offices.
