Police evict businessman Muhangi from bus terminal

KAMPALA.
The controversy surrounding the ownership of Qualicel Bus Terminal has taken yet another twist, with police evicting businessman Charles Muhangi, who has been occupying the disputed bus terminal for nearly a year.

This follows a legal opinion by Attorney General Peter Nyombi which supports an earlier Constitutional Court order of May 31, 2013 that reinstated Mr Drake Lubega as the rightful proprietor of the terminal.
“ …Francis Drake Lubega could not have applied for an order against his interests.

And all available evidence that we have in our possession points to Fancis Drake Lubega being the lawful owner of the land in question. Thus our letters should not be regarded as the authority for dispossessing Mr Lubega of his property and they are accordingly withdrawn,” said Mr Nyombi in a letter dated February 20.

The letter is copied to Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire.

Police on Saturday evicted Mr Muhangi’s agents from the terminal and the Force has since kept a 24-hour presence there to prevent any clashes between agents of the two warring businessmen.

Both the Attorney General and Solicitor General offices had earlier issued letters directing police to help Mr Muhangi, the proprietor of Horizon Coaches, who was regarded as the rightful owner of the property at the time, to access the bus terminal.

Mr Lubega told journalists on Saturday the eviction was long overdue. Mr Lubega claims that he has lost more than Shs3b in uncollected revenue from the terminal and has threatened to seek legal redress this week to ensure that Mr Muhangi pays him damages with an interest of 25 per cent.

Efforts to speak to Mr Muhangi yesterday were futile by press time but he has always maintained that he is the rightful owner of the park. He claims Mr Lubega acquired the title deed fraudulently.