Lands Commission okays works on Shs15 billion Jinja complex

Jinja- Construction works on a complex expected to cost Shs15b has commenced in Jinja District.

This follows a decision by the Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters to revoke a directive it issued in January stopping any development on the land until the resolution of an ownership dispute is settled.

The project land on Plot 24 Lubas Road has been the subject of dispute between Mr Jaffer Abdullah Hassan and five former tenants namely; Yona Mwalye, Joseph Nswali, Faisal Mpindi, Paul Bogere and Richard Waiswa for close to 14 years.

In 2014, Hassan, who bought the property from the former owners, Ms Muhamed Mitha and Sons, in 2006 dragged the five tenants along with the Custodian Board to court accusing them of refusal to hand over the property. He also accused the Custodian Board of interference in the management of the property by issuing letters allocating it even after it had expropriated it in 1992.

In September 2015, Justice Godfrey Namundi ruled in favour of Hassan, but the five filed a notice of appeal before filing a complaint with the Commission of inquiry into land matters, which directed the developer to stop any construction.

However, the Commission has since rescinded its earlier decision by way of a letter dated June 19 and signed by the secretary to the Commission, Dr Douglas K Singiza.

“Reference is made to the Commission’s earlier directive dated January 16, to cease and desist all activities on the property under dispute, Plot 48 Lubas Road, Jinja District. The Commission has reviewed the mater and therefore revises the earlier directive,” the letter read in parts.

In the letter, Dr Singiza pointed out that the Ministry of Finance, under whose docket the Custodian Board falls, had ordered the cancellation of the temporary letters of allocation and that for that matter, five tenants had ceased having a locus in the matter.

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