KAMPALA– The Members of Parliament have recommended that President Museveni sacks state minister for lands Persis Namuganza over Nakawa-Naguru land scandal.
The recommendation was made Wednesday as the House debated the report of the Adhoc Committee on Naguru-Nakawa land allocations. The committee was constituted on March 1, 2022 following a matter raised by a Member on the floor and found out that land was even allocated to fake companies.
The report presented by Committee Chairperson MP Dan Kimosho, alleged that Minister Namuganza pushed for the allocation of 10 acres of land at Naguru for a children’s hospital on the pretext that it was a presidential directive. Namuganza in response denied the allegations.
“The committee noted the undue interference by ministers and other gov’t officials in the process leading to the re-entry of the Naguru land portrayed gov’t in a bad light,” Kimosho said.
He said that in some circumstances some land transactions have resulted in a financial loss upon the ministers being found in contempt of court and being ordered to pay Shs 50 million, a cost that was borne by government.
“The committee recommends that the monies that were ordered by court to be paid by individual ministers but was paid by gov’t, be recovered from them,” Kimosho said. Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka agreed that government should not meet individual costs.
Kimosho said that despite a cabinet directive of 2019 to have the ex-gratia funds made available to compensate the former tenants of Nakawa-Naguru, a decision, which he said, was also communicated to the tenants association, to date they have never received the money as they continue to live in dire conditions after being displaced.
“Since gov’t committed to make ex-gratia payments of Shs17.7 million to each of the registered tenants it should honour the same without further delay,” he said as legislators said the money should be raised to the current value of land.
Nakawa East MP Ronald Balimwezo said that the former tenants of Naguru-Nakawa estates should be compensated and not just be paid ex-gratia.
MP Abdu Katuntu said those who misled government must held accountable especially that there was no due diligence on the companies that acquired land such.
“Do we have approved plans for those people according to the policy? May we also know who did the due diligence on the Opec company. Whoever was supposed to should be held responsible. As long as there is no due diligence, the president will be mentioned in these deals,” Katuntu said.
This land grabbing is not about to stop. We must address the root cause. The policy of govt was to establish a satellite city but I am seeing supermarkets, hospitals and soon you will find someone with a farm there
MP Robert Migadde blamed government for ignoring its plan of setting up a satellite city in the controversial land. “You could not have a satellite city in Nakawa when Kampala is close here. There was duping from the start. Let us have our peak as the 11th Parliament by censuring those who were involved.”
MP John Teira said: “This business of the Front Bench inviting the president to launch fake projects must stop. Why are you maligning my president and involving him in this fraudulent business. Anyone found culpable must be held accountable.
Leader of opposition in parliament Mathias Mpuuga said people with a bad reputation should not be approved by parliament.
Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi said that all officials including minister Namuganza must be held accountable as there is no proof that President Museveni directed that they give land to undeserving entities.
The MPs recommended that Uganda Land Commission be investigated, that the land be returned to its original use, ex-gratia payments of Shs17.7 million to former tenants be brought to current market value of land, and that those responsible for the scandal be held liable.
The Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rukia Nakadama says the executive has taken note of the recommendations in the report and will study them. “We shall study them and whoever was involved will be held responsible. We shall come back with memoranda in two months.”
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