News
Parliament committee demands audit trail on Soroti Golf Course land
Rugumayo asked Soroti zonal lands officer Edison Atwau to establish who authorised the survey of the golf course land, which private surveyor collected the data, who processed the titles, and which government surveyor, cartographer and physical planner approved the transactions.
Committee chairperson Edison Rugumayo, during an oversight visit to the Ministry of Lands Zonal Office in Soroti, where he grilled physical planner Moses Egwau. (Credit: Felix Osujo)
By: Felix Osujo, Journalist @New Vision
SOROTI - The Parliamentary Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development has demanded an audit trail showing how titles were allegedly issued on land belonging to Soroti Golf Course.
The demand was made by committee chairperson Edison Rugumayo during an oversight visit to the Ministry of Lands zonal office in Soroti, where he questioned officers over alleged encroachment and the issuance of multiple titles on the golf course land.
Rugumayo asked Soroti zonal lands officer Edison Atwau to establish who authorised the survey of the golf course land, which private surveyor collected the data, who processed the titles, and which government surveyor, cartographer and physical planner approved the transactions.
He also directed the zonal office to establish who currently has custody of the golf course land records and provide details of the officers involved in the transactions.
Rugumayo’s demands followed questions to staff about the management of land records, the National Land Information System, overlapping titles, forged documents and the roles of physical planners and surveyors.
The committee also raised concerns that some members of the public allegedly rely on agents and brokers to access services at the zonal office.
Rugumayo said this undermines public access to land services and called on officers to take a leading role in promoting land registration rather than leaving the work to brokers.
Rugumayo’s demands followed questions to staff about the management of land records, the National Land Information System, overlapping titles, forged documents and the roles of physical planners and surveyors.
The committee also raised concerns that some members of the public allegedly rely on agents and brokers to access services at the zonal office.
Rugumayo said this undermines public access to land services and called on officers to take a leading role in promoting land registration rather than leaving the work to brokers.
He also questioned physical planner Paul Moses Egwau over allegations that some of his responsibilities had been delegated to brokers, including work that was allegedly approved without verification.
During the meeting, Rugumayo directed Atwau to provide a register showing the people who had accessed the office after the officer failed to immediately provide satisfactory answers.
Atwau apologised and told the committee that the office would conduct an internal review and address gaps identified during the oversight visit.
The parliamentary team also questioned officials about the 15,000-acre Olilim Ranch land in Katakwi District, including its leasehold ownership.
The committee included Usuk County Member of Parliament Richard Ongorok and other members.
During the meeting, Rugumayo directed Atwau to provide a register showing the people who had accessed the office after the officer failed to immediately provide satisfactory answers.
Atwau apologised and told the committee that the office would conduct an internal review and address gaps identified during the oversight visit.
The parliamentary team also questioned officials about the 15,000-acre Olilim Ranch land in Katakwi District, including its leasehold ownership.
The committee included Usuk County Member of Parliament Richard Ongorok and other members.