NTOROKO – The Minister of State for Lands, Dr Sam Mayanja has ordered for the cancellation of two titles in Ntoroko district covering over 3,000 acres, saying they were acquired unlawfully.
Mayanja asked those who claim to be the rightful landlords to follow the right procedure of acquiring the titles so that government can compensate them.
“Nobody should interfere with the occupants of this land because those who claim to be landlords don’t even have lawful titles. Let people settle and use their land without any interference from anyone and nobody should threaten them,” the minister said.
The minister was days ago in Ntoroko district to resolve the land conflict between squatters and the purported landlords who have threatened to evict the former.
The land in question is in 12 villages of Kibuku I and II, Kibuku Central, Kiseege I and II, Kasozo, Kisugu and Rwamabale among others all in Ntoroko district.
The two titles belonged to Dorothy Baguma for late Crescent Baguma [2,100 acres ] and Swizini Byakisaka Kwezi, and George William Byakaina [1,100 acres].
On part of this land stand Ntoroko district headquarters, schools and health facilities.
According to the speaker Kibuku town council, Erimos Gamukama, the late Baguma, Byakisaka and Byakaina processed the land titles illegally.
“This people connived with some officials at Bundibugyo district local government before the creation of Ntoroko district to acquire these titles illegally,” Gamukama said.
The Kibuku town council chairperson, Charles Sabiti said threats of eviction have greatly impacted on the development of the area as squatters on the contested land are not allowed to put permanent developments.
He urged government to save the squatters on the land, saying they have nowhere else to go.
The Ntoroko Member of Parliament, Gerald Ibanda Rwemulikya commended the minister Mayanja’s intervention to settle people on the land.
He told the affected people to stay on the land, saying government will buy the land for them if those claiming it prove they are genuine owners.
In Kasese district, Dr. Mayanja ordered for the cancellation of the land title owned by the Banyatereza Sisters in Sayuni Cell, Nrugendabara town council which he said was unlawfully acquired.
“The title for this disputed land was acquired unlawfully because their file does not have the area committee minutes as required by law,” he said.
He directed that the current occupants of the land should not be evicted as the Banyatereza Sisters consult the law about the matter.
However, the Kasese diocese lands officer, Rev.Fr. David Kiiza disagreed with the minister, saying a ruling of the High Court declared the Diocese of Kasese as the rightful owner of Sayuni land.
https://thecooperator.news/minister-mayanja-directs-hoima-sugar-limited-to-compensate-evictees/
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