Acholi MPs assure Buganda on fight against Land Bill
Dec 08, 2008
MPs from Acholi have assured the Katikkiro of Buganda, Eng. J.B Walusimbi, that they will reject the Land Amendment Bill when it is presented to Parliament for debate.
By Mary Karugaba
MPs from Acholi have assured the Katikkiro of Buganda, Eng. J.B Walusimbi, that they will reject the Land Amendment Bill when it is presented to Parliament for debate.
The Acholi Parliamentary Group chairman, Livingstone Okello Okello, told The New Vision he would contact the Katikkiro to assure him of their support.
In a November 28, letter to Buganda and Acholi MPs, Walusimbi read: “Honourables, the people of Buganda are counting on your wisdom and integrity and trust that, together with your colleagues, you will handle this Bill objectively in order to engender peace, order, development and good governance in Uganda as prescribed by the Constitution,â€
“It’s us who spearheaded the issue of opposing the Land Bill. We have not and we will not change our position,†Okello said.
“We have received the Katikkiro’s letter but I want to assure Buganda that our position is clear. We shall never support the Bill. It is a bad Bill. It is unconstitutional and if it is passed, we shall go to the Constitutional Court.â€
After months of debate, Parliament’s physical infrastructure committee’s report on the Land Amendment Bill 2008 is now ready for presentation.
According to the committee chairman, Eng. Abraham Byandala, the report will be presented when Parliament resumes.
Walusimbi said the kingdom considers that the Bill is rushed, unnecessary, unfair, discriminative and would breach the Constitution if it became law.
He complained that although the kingdom presented its views, the committee did not give them adequate consideration.
“I have therefore enclosed an executive summary of the presentation in order to further inform you about the kingdom’s stand,†the letter reads.
Walusimbi added: “Land affects all of us in so many different ways. We relate to it culturally, socially and economically.â€
Beatrice Anywar (FDC) said Buganda’s appeal reinforces the general feeling on the Bill. “Government should listen to people’s concerns. They should not rely on the numbers in Parliament to pass issues that people do not agree with,†she said.
Anywar warned that if not well handled, the Bill could create more wars for the Government.
Betty Ochan (FDC) said although she had not seen the letter, the group’s position on the Land Bill still stands.
“The Government should listen to people’s concerns. If they insist, well, we have our views. We shall present them. We shall not pretend when things are not good,†she said.
Walusimbi pointed out that the Bill does not address the twin evils of corruption and impunity, which are the root cause of the rampant evictions across the country.
“The Bill is going to set communities against each other and further divide our people unnecessarily along social and economic lines.
“I kindly urge you to consult widely with your constituents and to search your conscience before making a decision.
This is a matter that calls for patriotism over partnership,†Walusimbi said.
Okello said Acholi land is customary and, should not therefore, come under the law.
The New Vision could not get comments from other group members as their phones were either not available or switched off.
MPs from Acholi have assured the Katikkiro of Buganda, Eng. J.B Walusimbi, that they will reject the Land Amendment Bill when it is presented to Parliament for debate.
The Acholi Parliamentary Group chairman, Livingstone Okello Okello, told The New Vision he would contact the Katikkiro to assure him of their support.
In a November 28, letter to Buganda and Acholi MPs, Walusimbi read: “Honourables, the people of Buganda are counting on your wisdom and integrity and trust that, together with your colleagues, you will handle this Bill objectively in order to engender peace, order, development and good governance in Uganda as prescribed by the Constitution,â€
“It’s us who spearheaded the issue of opposing the Land Bill. We have not and we will not change our position,†Okello said.
“We have received the Katikkiro’s letter but I want to assure Buganda that our position is clear. We shall never support the Bill. It is a bad Bill. It is unconstitutional and if it is passed, we shall go to the Constitutional Court.â€
After months of debate, Parliament’s physical infrastructure committee’s report on the Land Amendment Bill 2008 is now ready for presentation.
According to the committee chairman, Eng. Abraham Byandala, the report will be presented when Parliament resumes.
Walusimbi said the kingdom considers that the Bill is rushed, unnecessary, unfair, discriminative and would breach the Constitution if it became law.
He complained that although the kingdom presented its views, the committee did not give them adequate consideration.
“I have therefore enclosed an executive summary of the presentation in order to further inform you about the kingdom’s stand,†the letter reads.
Walusimbi added: “Land affects all of us in so many different ways. We relate to it culturally, socially and economically.â€
Beatrice Anywar (FDC) said Buganda’s appeal reinforces the general feeling on the Bill. “Government should listen to people’s concerns. They should not rely on the numbers in Parliament to pass issues that people do not agree with,†she said.
Anywar warned that if not well handled, the Bill could create more wars for the Government.
Betty Ochan (FDC) said although she had not seen the letter, the group’s position on the Land Bill still stands.
“The Government should listen to people’s concerns. If they insist, well, we have our views. We shall present them. We shall not pretend when things are not good,†she said.
Walusimbi pointed out that the Bill does not address the twin evils of corruption and impunity, which are the root cause of the rampant evictions across the country.
“The Bill is going to set communities against each other and further divide our people unnecessarily along social and economic lines.
“I kindly urge you to consult widely with your constituents and to search your conscience before making a decision.
This is a matter that calls for patriotism over partnership,†Walusimbi said.
Okello said Acholi land is customary and, should not therefore, come under the law.
The New Vision could not get comments from other group members as their phones were either not available or switched off.