Consultant wants OPM probed over land grabbing

Mar 07, 2018

“I have complained to Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda several times but I have not been helped, my only hope is now in this commission,” Irumba said.

A consultant in the British civil service has asked the commission probing land sector in Uganda, to investigate circumstances under which his land has been taken by Office of the Prime Minister(OPM).

Steven Irumba, appealed to the commission to help him settle the dispute between him, and OPM on premise that he has been let down by the officials of OPM.

While appearing before the land probe team on Tuesday, Irumba said his land at Kyaka village, Kyegegwa district measuring 200 hectares has been taken over by OPM to settle refugees without his consent.

"I have complained to Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda several times but I have not been helped, my only hope is now in this commission," Irumba said.

Irumba told the commission that a survey was done on his land recently and a report made indicating that the 200 hectares belong to government and has been earmarked to resettle refugees.

He said he has lost 100 herds of Sahiwal cows imported from Pakistan after his farm was attacked by people who are being influenced by the area politicians. He said his investment worth sh1b is in ruins.

Irumba told the commission presided over by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire that he has been living in fear because his life is under threat.

Led by lead counsel Ebert Byenkya, Irumba said he has been wrangling over the ownership of the land he acquired through a lease from Henry Baguma in 2003 since last year.

He(Irumba) said in 2016, the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees commenced a process to resettle refugees on his land.

Hearing is conducted at the National Records Centre and Archives, on Lourdel Road in the city suburb of Nakasero.

 Commission team

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire is the commission chairperson. The commissioners are Fredrick Ruhindi, Mary Oduka Ochan Robert Ssebunnya, Joyce Gunze Habaasa, Dr Rose Nakayi, and George Bagonza Tinkamanyire.

Ebert Byenkya is lead counsel, John Bosco Suuza is assistant lead counsel, while Judiciary Deputy Registrar of Planning and Development Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, heads the secretariat.

Commission mandate

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.

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