Land probe team faults government officials, tycoons

Kampala. The commission of inquiry into land matters has unearthed worrying trends regarding land ownership in the country, citing top government officials.
Addressing journalists in Kampala, Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, the commission chairperson, said some senior government and security officials gang up with businessmen and private persons to grab land unlawfully and evict communities.

“We have also found a worrying trend where Ugandans have been displaced in the name of creating refugee settlements,” Justice Bamugemereire said.

“We have brought this to the attention of the Prime Minister [Dr Ruhakana Rugunda], we were assured that something was going to be done about Kyangwali [refugee settlement camp], we are still waiting,” she added.

Justice Bamugemereire also said the issue of land speculation has flooded the country, leading to unreasonable compensations, increased level of corruption in areas of land acquisition, unregulated compensation of private persons leading to unstructured payments and settlements.
The commission also discovered land grabbing, double titling and abuse of judicial processes by tycoons.
Justice Bamugemereire warned parties against interfering in matters undergoing investigations, saying such areas have been seized by the commission pending investigations.

“We will not hesitate to take action if activities that are incongruent with the work of the commission are found to be taking place,” she said.
They include the unlawful eviction of Doho Rice Growers Association from 179 hectares by the family of Hajj Koire at Kachonga in Butaleja District and fraudulent acquisition and titling of National Forestry Authority land at Kajjansi, Wakiso District.
The chairperson said during the festive season, they will continue carrying out quiet investigations and receiving complaints.

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