Gov't will not compensate Namanve encroachers

Jan 20, 2017

The freehold titles were erroneously issued to the holders, who include individuals and companies

Government has ruled out compensating Namanve Central Forest Reserve encroachers, saying they are in the reserve illegally.

On Thursday, government announced that it had written to holders of land titles in the reserve and wetland, notifying them that their titles are illegal and would be cancelled.

"The cancelation of these titles will not attract any compensation, the people claiming ownership of this land, are holding these titles illegally" Betty Amongi the Minister for Lands said.

Speaking during a news conference at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, the Amongi noted that responsible government departments such as Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Police, would soon announce when the affected families will be expected to vacate the reserve.

According to Amongi, the freehold titles were erroneously issued to the holders, who include individuals and companies.

The cancelation of the titles without compensation was ordered by President Yoweri Museveni in his letter dated November 21, 2016, to the minister.

Museveni directed the cancellation of all titles that were acquired in Namanve Forest Reserve, to pave way for the development of Bukasa Port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.

Amongi also indicated that some land titles had been submitted to the ministry willingly for cancelation by some of the encroachers.

She however blamed the Wakiso District Land Board and area land committee for the illegal land titles, saying that they issued them to the current occupants without establishing whether the land was within their control and the nature of the terrain. 

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