Businessman held over sale of Kajjansi forest reserve

PIC: Businessman Ephraim Ntaganda appearing before the land probe commission on Tuesday in Wandegeya, Kampala. (Credit: Denis Dibele)

ENVIRONMENT | PROBE

KAMPALA - City businessman Ephraim Ntaganda, who is cited in the fraudulent sale of part of the Kajjansi Central Forest Reserve to a private developer, has been detained.

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, the chairperson of the commission of inquiry into land matters, directed that Ntaganda be held to record an additional statement  regarding the sale of the forest reserve.

Ntaganda reportedly sold off the forest reserve to J2E Investment Corporation Ltd, which the commission links to Eriya Mubiru.

While directing Ntaganda to record an additional statement, Bamugemereire  said Ntaganda's testimony is contradictory and, therefore, he should record another statement to help the commission come to a fair conclusion.

By the time of reporting this, Ntaganda was still being held at the commission's office in Wandegeya, a city suburb.

Ntaganda (right) with his lawyers Ivan Kyateeka (left) and MacDosman Kabega (centre) during the land probe inquiry. (Credit: Denis Dibele)

Ntaganda (in suit) being escorted by policemen to make an additional statement in regard to the land he allegedly acquired fraudulently in the Kajjansi forest reserve belonging to National Forestry Authority. (Credit: Denis Dibele)

The other commissioners on the probe team are Frederick Ruhindi, Mary Oduka Ochan Robert Ssebunnya, Joyce Gunze Habaasa, Dr Rose Nakayi, and George Bagonza Tinkamanyire.

Ebert Byenkya is the lead counsel, John Bosco Suuza assistant lead counsel while Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, the Judiciary deputy registrar of planning and development, heads the secretariat.

The commission's mandate is to probe efficiency of the laws, policies and processes of land registration, acquisition, administration and management.

It is also tasked with inquiring the effectiveness of the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) in administering public land and relevant bodies in the reservation of wetlands, forests, road reserves, and national parks, among other gazetted spaces.