200 families in Mukono face eviction

About 200 families are facing eviction by an investor, who is claiming ownership of a 142-acre piece of land in Mu Nkoko Village, Kasawo Sub-county in Mukono District.
The disputed land was allegedly sold to the investor recently by Mr David Lukwago without consulting the tenants. The tenants claim they have been living on the land for more than 50 years.

During a meeting last Friday, Mr Godfrey Nsiiro, the village chairperson, accused Mr Lukwago of backtracking on his earlier promise to have the land surveyed and boundaries opened before taking any further action.

‘Dishonoured agreement’
“We had agreed with Mr Lukwago that he surveys the said land and allow for boundary opening process for all the Bibanja holders and ensure that tenants get their land titles when we pay him. To our surprise, the information we have is that the land has been sold off to a different person,” Mr Nsiiro said.

“We do not know who our new landlord is because he has never introduced himself to us, but we have received information directing us to vacate the land,” he added.

Mr Badru Kafumbe, the Kasawo Sub-county chairperson, wondered why Mr Lukwago had not followed the right procedures.

“Although Mr Lukwago sold the land, he did so illegally since the land title is not in his names and there is no evidence that the land transfer process had taken place. This is a delicate matter that must be handled carefully without giving room for any violence,” Mr Kafumbe said.

According to documents seen by Daily Monitor during the meeting, Mr Lukwago had earlier this year contracted Wilz Property Consultants, a firm based in Mukono Town, to survey the land and process titles for all tenants.

However, Mr Willian Omuse, the director of the company, claimed that Mr Lukwago did not honour the agreement.

“While I was still processing the titles, Mr Lukwago started dodging me. He could not meet me and he failed to show up whenever we made appointments. Lukwago had no cash but had promised to give me a percentage of the land in exchange for my services upon completion of the work,” Mr Omuse said.

“I later heard that he had already sold off the land without fulfilling the agreement. I want him to pay for the work that I did for him,” he added.

However, when contacted on Monday, Mr Lukwago denied selling off the land, and accused Mr Omuse of tricking him into signing documents which he did not understand.

“It is true I surveyed my land but I have not yet sold it. I was also shocked when tenants started attacking me that I had sold them off (sic),” Mr Lukwago said in a telephone interview.

He added that he has since fled his home for fear of being killed by irate tenants.

Mr Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko, the Nakifuma County MP, called for calm and urged the affected tenants to negotiate with the new landlord for possible payment of the ground rate (Busuulu).

“I will be forced to take legal action in case the new landlord refuses to negotiate with the tenants since it is provided for under the Land Act,” Mr Ssekitoleko said.