State House writes to Cosase over departed Asians property
Daily Monitor has seen a November 20 letter written by the presidential legal aide, Ms Florence Kiconco, to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga (pictured), calling on Cosase’s select taskforce currently investigating the dubious acquisition of expropriated properties to take interest in Namwambule estate’s repossession.
What you need to know:
Ms Farida Namukwaya, the widow of the late Musiiho, appearing before the MPs together with her son Bashir Bwire, said that the property was bought from Mr Patel, who held powers of attorney from the original proprietors; Kassamali Nathoo Waljii; Badrudin Nathoo Baljii; and Sandradin Nathoo Baljii.
State House has written to the select taskforce of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) to inquire into how Namwambule estate in Mpigi District was sold to two parties.
Daily Monitor has seen a November 20 letter written by the presidential legal aide, Ms Florence Kiconco, to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, calling on Cosase’s select taskforce currently investigating the dubious acquisition of expropriated properties to take interest in Namwambule estate’s repossession.
In her letter, Ms Kiconco says since 1972, when the original proprietors of the estate - Shah and Company Limited left the country, the property has been claimed by two groups both saying they bought it.
The fight for the land comprised in FRV 29, Folio 4, Plot 7, in Mawokota, Mpigi District, is being claimed by Mulowoza & Brothers Limited, who allegedly bought it from the Departed Asians Properties’ Custodian Board (DAPCB), and Mr Leo Kimalampaka.
State House interest arises from the confusion that has ensued after the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development bought part of the land from Mulowoza & Brothers Limited, whereas the same area is being claimed by Mr Gideon Kirumira and Mr Moses Namatiti, who reportedly bought it from Mr Kimalampaka.
“This has caused a lot of controversies and insecurity in the area because of the endless land battles,” the letter reads in part.
Seeking solution
Ms Kiconco, who stated that there are already court cases ongoing, insisted that an inquiry by Cosase’s select taskforce would resolve the controversy arising from two different documents concerning the acquisition of the property.
“The purpose of this letter is to request for the clarification on the certificate of repossession and purchase through the on-going inquiry of the expropriated properties by Cosase”.
Meanwhile, in its interactions with two of the people claiming ownership of some of the expropriated properties in Mbale, the MPs were told by the DAPCB that Asian tycoons had sold the buildings fraudulently.
It was revealed by DAPCB executive secretary George William Bizibu that the repossession certificate used by Tanzanian-Asian Parimal Patel to sell the house on Plot 20 Peter Paul Lane in Mbale to the late Moses Wandera Musiiho is not reflected in the available records.
Ms Farida Namukwaya, the widow of the late Musiiho, appearing before the MPs together with her son Bashir Bwire, said that the property was bought from Mr Patel, who held powers of attorney from the original proprietors; Kassamali Nathoo Waljii; Badrudin Nathoo Baljii; and Sandradin Nathoo Baljii.
Mr Patel, who on Friday was ordered to deposit his passport to Parliament until inquiries into more than 60 properties in his possession, and Mr Alibhai whose management of more than 400 properties is under probe, will be summoned to appear next week to answer to issues that arose yesterday.
