Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba has been several Sub Counties in Kassanda District to meet residents in a bid to iron out land related disputes.
The minister held three meetings in Kalwana, Kassanda, and Nalutuntu sub counties where locals shared with her how they are living in fear of looming illegal evictions from suspected land grabbers.
At Kalwana Sub County there is a dispute where residents are contesting the ownership of a 75 acres piece of land that formerly belonged to the late Hussein Muwonge.
According to a report read by Mr Muzafalu Ssentongo, the chairperson of Kitongo village where the land is situated ,unknown goons allegedly sent by a one Moses Madoi, a business man in Mubende District, raided the village and burnt houses of one of the residents.
The victim was identified by the chairperson as William Nkonge, a resident of Kitongo, whose house was burnt on February 08, 2024, and fled the village to a nearby training centre in Kikandwa.
“The house was set ablaze and all his house properties were burnt to ashes. He was left in shock not until recently when a good Samaritan gave him a house where he is currently staying,” Ssentongo said.
Mr Ssentongo accused Madoi of conniving with family members to reclaim the land they sold off to locals years ago and they allegedly brought a surveyor to do boundary opening.
The area leaders decried corruption in government offices and complained that they filed their case to different offices. Mr Madoi took them to court in Mubende but they were not satisfied with the court’s ruling.
The minister in response, ordered for the arrest of Madoi to start the investigations on the issue.
“Let him be taken to police and he provides all the necessary evidence we need on this land because it seems he is fueling the conflicts in this village,” Nabakooba ordered as police apprehended Madoi.
The minister continued to another meeting which was held at St Kizito Primary School, Kamuli in Kassanda Sub County where locals raised concern that threats of eviction are retarding development in the area.
The Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries said they cannot put to good use the money they have received because they are farmers and their land can be grabbed land speculators roaming the villages .
The contested land was formerly leased to the late Steven Katama for five years who did not take responsibility for renewing his lease before he died in 2010.
Now family members led by a one Lutaaya Katama are using forged documents to claim that they have a lease of 49 years . Nabakooba has since called for the cancellation of all the titles on that land.
“Late Katama was given a lease of five years renewable after meeting the required standards for the first time applicant but did not meet them according to the records which makes this land open for bibanja holders to apply for lease since it is public land,” the minister said.
She promised to go back on the ground after three weeks for a public hearing.
The minister told residents that she will ensure whoever was involved in developing fake documents on disputed land is arrested and the district staff surveyor, Mr Jimmy Mutumba, be sacked.
“I’m going to write to the Chief Administrative Officer and he will suspend him from office and we will conduct our investigations on the matter,” she promised.
The minister also met with the residents of Kyakatebe village in Nalutuntu Sub County.
Here the residents have been enterprising by organizing themselves in a group called ‘Batakka Twenunule’ association to register a communal land association and get a joint land title to shield their land from grabbers.
They asked the minister to help them and ease the process for their association to be registered and process the title.
“This is the issue I am taking to the ministry and assure you the issue will be handled as soon as possible to enable you to have full ownership of the land,” Nabakooba promised.
Ms Phoebe Namulindwa, Kassanda District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), asked residents to remain calm and wait on the minister who is obliged to resolve their issues and restore sanity in the area.
“We are committed to provide the necessary support to ensure you live peacefully on your land. Do not hesitate to come to my office to report any issue,” Namulindwa said.
