Lands minister, Judith Nabakooba has intervened in a Kasanje land dispute in Wakiso District and has issued directives to protect residents in three villages from illegal evictions.
The dispute is between the family of Dr James William Rwanyarare, former landlord, and Home Connect Properties (U) Limited, (current landlord) on one hand, hundreds of tenants tenants and new landlord on the other hand.
“Halt all transactions and operations taking place. We have realised there is a lot of misinformation and the leaders seem to be dishonest to the communities they serve ,” Nabakooba directed during a charged meeting with residents at Ssazi village.
The contested land measuring 635 acres sits on three villages, stretching from Ssazi-Lulongo zone, Gayaza-Nangombe village to Namugala, all located in Kasanje Town Council.
According to residents, the conflicts erupted after Home Connect Properties hired graders to clear people’s land before compensation..
Nabakooba highlighted the need to sensitize communities on their land rights. She asked all parties to stay away from the contested land to allow police and local leaders to investigate the matter and produce a report to ascertain the status of the land.
“We have realised there are court cases going on and court is yet to determine on the issue of ownership. Much as Home Connect has a title, it was challenged by some of the family members,” she stressed.
Ms Caroline Kahamutima, daughter of Rwanyarare, the original owner of the land, said their brother Kevin Kiiza Rwanyarare forged powers of attorney and connived with Home Connect Properties to make transactions on the land.
“He used forged documents and went to the ministry claiming to have lost the title of this land and applied for a special title when none of the family members was aware,” she revealed.
The family protested all the ongoing activities, challenging ownership of the new landlord on their land saying Home Connect owns this land fraudulently and ,”we condemn all the illgal activities taking place on our land.”
Ms Kahamutima said they rushed the case to court pending ruling to cancel the title and reclaim ownership of their land. “Our father is on good terms with all his tenants and has never chased anyone.”
Home Connect manager, Charles Ssemakula said they acquired this land one and a half years ago and are on good terms with all the Bibanja holders.
“We called them asking whoever is interested in getting a title, we are willing to offer it on agreement. You either buy yourself or allow us to take part of your land,” he told the minister.
Ssazi village chairperson Vincent Kalule distanced himself from the conflicts saying that he has never stamped or issued any agreement to tenants involving Home Connect.
However, his statement was contested by the majority of the locals who say he has been working with Home Connect ever since they took over the three villages .
Residents accused Home Connect for clearing their land before compensation rendering them homeless after reportedly buying the land at Shs5 billion.
Ms Mary Nakibuuka said half of her eight acre land was cleared by Home Connect, promising her a land title in one week but she is yet to receive it. “When you try to challenge them, they intimidate us yet our food was all destroyed without any compensation,” she said.
Mr Mukwasi Wasike, another tenant, told the minister that Home Connect refused to accept nominal ground rent (Busuulu) yet it is well provided for in the law. “They destroy our gardens and when you reach out to them to compensate you, they threaten you.”
