Parliament summons NSSF, business man Amos Nzeyi over Temangalo land row

Claimant. Nazim Moosa showing MPs a copy of what he says is the title of the Temangalo land on August 14, 2019. Photo by Alex Esagala

What you need to know:

  • The select committee which is under the committee On Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) is investigating reports of fraudulent acquisition of properties of the Asians who were expelled during Idi Amin’s regime.
  • The properties have been under the management of the Departed Asians’ Property Custodian Board, a government body, since 1983.

Parliament’s select committee looking into reports of alleged illegal repossession of the Departed Asian Board properties has summoned NSSF and businessman Amos Nzeyi, to answer queries related to the sale of land in Temangalo allegedly belonging to departed Asians.

In 2008, Nzeyi sold land in Temangalo to NSSF at shs11 billion, a transaction that became controversial and attracted a probe by Parliament.

On 10 August 2018, a Canadian-Asian family petitioned the Land Commission of Inquiry claiming ownership of 366.2 acres of the said land.

Nazim Moosa testified that his father, Mohammed Hassnali Moosa who died in 1997 owned Temangalo Tea Estate Limited.

While appearing before the committee chaired by Ibrahim Kasozi (MP Makindye Division East) yesterday, Moosa presented evidence of a 79 year lease and called MPs to intervene so that his family can be compensated for the loss.

“Our family obtained the land in 1924 before we were expelled by President Idi Amin Dada in 1972. It was fraudulently transferred to Nzeeyi under unclear circumstances that need to be sorted out,” said Moosa

Moosa added that his family is open to a negotiated settlement arguing that taking the case to court would only drag it since it has already taken long.

“We have been in this for 26 years; if we drag this to courts, we are already old and might not benefit much,” said Moosa.

Subsequently, Hon Kasozi said the committee will interface with the concerned parties that is NSSF, Nzeeyi, former Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma and former Lands Registrar, Sarah Kulata, next week.

The select committee which is under the committee On Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) is investigating reports of fraudulent acquisition of properties of the Asians who were expelled during Idi Amin’s regime.

The properties have been under the management of the Departed Asians’ Property Custodian Board, a government body, since 1983.