Watoto Church Ministries Limited has filed a suit against the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) at the High Court Civil Division, accusing them of refusing to approve their plan for the proposed new building, to replace the current downtown structure with a new church, mall and hotel.
The church, formerly known as Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC), is an English-speaking cell-based East African community church headquartered in Kampala, Uganda. It was established in 1984 by Canadian Evangelist Gary Skinner.
The church owns the historic Norman Cinema building popularly known as KPC located along Kampala road in the heart of Kampala city. The building was established by an Indian businessman Norman Godinho in the 1940s’.
According to reports, the church had proposed to demolish the famous KPC and set up a 12-storeyed building that will include among others; a three-star hotel, a 3,000-seater auditorium, a shopping centre and a youth centre. The project is known as the new Kampala Playhouse plan.
However, the church contends that the KCCA Physical Planning Board has refused to approve its proposed building structure yet they submitted revised plans for the same. The church claims that the board’s decision is irrational, illegal and unfair.
The church is seeking a court order to quash the board’s decision and compel them to approve its plan. The church also wants the court to award it general damages for inconvenience and costs of the suit.
The suit has been filed before Justice Douglas Singiza of the High Court. The KCCA has not yet filed its defence.
