Gov't Buys Land In Mubende As Landlords Express Interest Of Selling MoreSo

The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD), has acquired land for locals in Mubende District as part of its efforts of reducing land conflicts across the country.

Hon Judith Nabakooba, the lands minister, told locals that they(government) reached a compromise with the landlord, Mr Kefa Ssempangi, and agreed to pay him Shs4 billion for all his land in Nabingoola Sub County.

 “We are in the final stages of acquiring that land and once all paperwork is done by our technical team at Uganda Land Commission (ULC), money shall be remitted to his account," she said.

The land bought sits on two square miles in Buwekula Block 273, Plot 8 in Kiteera, and Block 277, Plot 2 in Kisanyusa-Kalagi estate, measuring 1,280 acres.

The minister said that each square mile shall be paid Shs2 billion.  

However, locals claim that the landlord, Mr Ssempangi, had earlier negotiated with them and they had paid him Shs39 million that was collected amongst themselves but upon payment in 2008, he claimed the title got lost.

“We are going to call him to explain why he got money from you and at the same time came to sell the same land to the government. We shall see a way to recover your money,” Nabakooba told the locals who had gathered at Kisanyusa village.

The locals led by Nabingoola Sub County chairperson Sam Kwizeera, told the minister that there is another landlord, Paul Mafumu, who came to their village and bought one acre of land but fraudulently acquired more land up to 166 acres yet they though it is public land.

Mafumu is now reportedly threatening locals with evictions yet they have been sitting bibanja holders for more than 50 years.

 “It is with this that I request you Hon minister to also consider the residents of Kisanyusa Village to be part of the Land Fund beneficiaries. Our people are supporters of President Museveni and they would love to be seated on their land in this peaceful regime,” he requested.

Similarly, locals want the government to buy for them land on Buwekula Block 273 Plot 3, belonging to Felister Tankome, who is allegedly refusing ground rent from squatters and wants to be paid. His land is located in Kiziizi village and he prices each acre at Shs2 million but this money is way too high for poor locals who depend on growing maize for survival.

While traversing areas of Kasambya, a landlord identified as Peter Magezi Ssinabulya, who has 600 acres on two villages, reportedly agreed with his squatters to buy the title at Shs1 million each.

 Mr Fred Ntezimana, Kabuwa Parish chairperson, said they made an agreement with their landlord in 2016 and they were to pay that money in seven years but he later gave the title to a money lender as collateral and was given Shs100 million.

 “We are now living in fear. We cannot make any developments on the land because anytime the land is likely to be taken,” they cried out.

Rev Danson Muhumuza, a parish priest of St Paul Kabowa C.O.U, said they cannot build a new church with fears that their money will soon be in vain over land conflicts. “Whenever we talk to Ssinabulya, he says he will sort the money lender. That is why we want the government to give us money to buy this land.” Hope Grania Nakazibwe, the Mubende District Woman legislator told locals that the Land Fund budget may not be enough to buy all the land in Uganda but promised to table the issue on the floor of parliament to have its budget increased.

“You should also have empathy for the minister because the money she receives is not enough. We are going to advocate for an increment on the budget,"she said.

 Nakazibwe told locals to be hopeful that once the Land Fund budget is increased, their land shall be paid so that they acquire rightful ownership on their land.

Similarly, in Kyabudde village, locals paid the landlord who later denied them access to the title. Ms Nabakooba promised to write to the landlord and ensure they get their title.