The Commission of Inquiry investigating issues of land fraud has issued a stern warning to powerful individuals who are subject to investigation for land grabbing by the Commission to refrain from disrupting the process.
Justice Catherine Bamugemereire who heads the Commission of Inquiry warned business mogul, Sudhir Ruparelia and renowned Pastor, Samuel Kakande among others to cease any actions that could negatively affect the complainants until the disputes are resolved.
While addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Justice Bamugemereire mentioned that out out of the 4,587 land complaints that the Commission has so far received, 30% of them are related land grabbing and unlawul evictions.
She said that in its investigations, the Commission has discovered “worrying trends” in which some senior government officials, security officers and politicians collude with businessmen to unlawfully evict families rendering them homeless.
“We have received reports of unlawful acquisition and eviction of kibanja owners by Gukina from land in Entebbe by Sudhir Ruparelia. Please stand warned,” Justice Bamugemereire said, adding that “we are investigating and we warn you to cease any activity that would interfere with our investigations”.
She also cited land measuring to 26 squaremiles in a forest in Mubende which is said to have been illegally acquired by popular Pastor Samuel Kakande.
“We have noted this matter and we are investigating it. Do not attempt to do any activity that leaves in discomfort any person who has otherwise been using this land,” Justice Bamugemereire cautioned Kakande.
Other cases that she specifically hinted on include an unlawful eviction of Doko Rice Growers Association from 179 hectares of land by the family of one Hajji Koyire in Butalejja district, displacing more than 200 peasant families.
The other case is a fraudulent acquisition and titling of National Forest Authority (NFA) land in Kajjansi, Entebbe which has been unlawfully used by impostors and government bureaucrats with intention to defraud government and frustrate the construction of Kampala – Entebbe Express way.
“We will not hesistate to take action if activities that are incongruent to the work of the Commission are found to be taking place”.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has also been cautioned against proceeding with any activity on the disputed 60 acres of land in Entebbe claimed by a clan known as Entebbe za Mugula.
Bamugemereire revealed that some security officers have been making intimidating calls to the members of the Commission asking them to stop probing into certain cases. But she vowed; “We will not be deterred because someone is a senior security officer. We don’t take orders and that is how we operate”.
Refugees settlements and displaced Ugandans
The Commission expressed concerned over the numerous cases of displaced Ugandan citizens as a result of attempts to create settlements for refugees. Some refugee settlements in question include Kyangwali in Hoima district, Nakivale in Isingiro and Orukinga in Mbarara district.
“We have had cases where locals have been displaced in the name of creating refugee settlements. It is unacceptable,” Justice Bamugemereire noted.
Despite engagements with Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to bring the matter to his attention, Bamugemereire said that no appropriate action has been taken by the Prime Minister.
Relatedly, investigations have been commenced into allegations that refugees in North Western Uganda have been selling land which was freely given to them by government before returning to their home countries.
After land grabbing and illegal evictions, the other prominent land related complaints that the Commission has registered are corruption (19%), disputes between bibanja owners and landlords (12%) and irregularities in land registration (10%).
At the press conference, Bamugemereire said that Commission is withdrawing from public hearings to take a break until January 8, 2018. But it will still receive complaints, do research and conduct investigations.
Witness protection
Ever since the Commission began its work earlier this year, some witnesses have been intimidated and some assaulted by their opponents in land disputes. Months ago, a witness in Mbarara fell victim to an acid attack before they appeared to testify before the Commission.
Commissioner Robert Ssebunnya said “it hasn’t been easy and it worries us”, referring to the threats that witnesses have suffered.
“We appeal to everyone to refrain from intimidating our witnesses because when that happens, land problems are not resolved and it is the people of Uganda that lose,” Ssebunnya told the press.
On her part, Bamugemereire said that the Commission has made efforts to intentionally allocate funds towards the protection of witnesses and that this will be further taken seriously.