Amongi probes land disputes in Sembabule

Lands minister Betty Amongi (centre) during a meeting with residents of Genteebe village in Sembabule District recently. file photo

Sembabule- Lands minister Betty Amongi, who is investigating the spate of land wrangles in Sembabule District, has pledged to stop illegal evictions and cancel forged land titles, which she said was the cause of the land disputes in the district.

The minister was meeting residents of Genteebe village in Mijwala Sub-county, Sembabule District on Friday, where she was called to intervene in a land dispute involving 300 sitting tenants who were on the verge of being evicted by a one Ignatius Lukandwa, the chairperson Kamoozi Farmers Uganda Limited.

Security threat
“Land is the biggest threat to security not only in Sembabule, but in the entire nation and Ugandans are using the most sophisticated technology to grab land fraudulently,” Ms Amongi said, adding that she is committed to end such disputes and that is why the President entrusted her with the docket.

The minister resolved that the title deed for the disputed land be cancelled because the claimant did not get it through the right channels as he allegedly forged signatures of Lands officials.

Ms Amongi also revealed that government has earmarked funds to sensitise members of the area land committees, district land boards and regional land officers about proper land management, saying some are ignorant about their roles.

The minister also requested the district land board to always first survey land before making recommendations because it will help to know if the land has disputes or not.

Mr Jude Kiganda, the Sembabule District vice chairperson, requested the minister to give them copies of the land tittles that were returned to Buganda Kingdom, particularly in Sembabule District, to void speculations that the kingdom claims ownership of part of public land in the area.

Mr Onsmus Katungire, the chairperson Mijwala area land committee, complained to the minister that the district land board does not recognise them and ends up giving away land without their consent - something that leads to unnecessary clashes between the two offices. The minister promised to investigate the concerns before taking a decision.