Bamugemereire blasts Mubende RDC over land evictions

PIC: Mubende district acting resident district commissioner Tinkamalirwe Evelyn after appearing before the land probe committee on March 22, 2018. Tinkamalirwe is accused on siding with businessman Abid Alam in the land wrangles in Bukoba village, where security guards mount road blocks and harass residents. (Credit: Denis Dibele)

KAMPALA - Land probe commission chairperson Justice Catherine Bamugemereire has blasted acting Mubende resident district commissioner(RDC) over insecurity in the aftermath of the land evictions.

On Thursday, Christine Tinkamalirwe came under fire during the probe public hearing conducted at the Archives and Records Centre in the city suburb of Nakasero.

At the centre of contention is a 12-square mile piece of land in Nalutuntu sub-county, with allegations that businessman Abid Alam grabbed the land from several Bibanja holders and displaced over 700 families.

She was rebuked when tasked with explaining why there was strong sentiment amongst the tenants that she is an agent of Alam.

Commissioner Mary Ochan pressed: "Why do people think you are on Alam's side despite all that you claim you have done?"

When the RDC responded that she did not know why people were ungrateful despite championing their plight, she irked Bamugemereire.

"People are shot and you are siding with the rich people of Mubende.The office of RDC has been a total flop on land matters.You are in bed with Alam. As RDC, you are the head of security and if you were worth your name, you should have done the right things," Bamugemereire stated.

"Over 16 cases were reported by Alam against the tenants, to Mubende Police and have since gone to court for prosecution. But nine case are reported by the villagers against Alam and nothing has been done.Don't you think the issue of Alam has failed you?" Bamugemereire asked.

The furious Court of Appeal Justice also noted that Tinkamalirwe failed in her job as the President's representative to investigate why the tenants lost confidence in Mubende Police.

Bamugemereire disclosed that the tenants were compelled to travel to the probe commission head office in Kampala to record statements about the land evictions.  

Earlier, assistant lead counsel John Bosco Suuza, wondered why insecurity had flared up despite the probe team directive when public hearings were held in Mubende in September last year.

The probe team had directed Alam and the tenants to stop hostilities and keep off land in the village of Bukoba until inquiries were concluded.

When pressed by Suuza about favouring Alam, Tinkamalirwe insisted that she had was not discriminatory and that she was responsive to the plight of the people.

Suuza also asked her to respond to claims raised by Bukoba village local chairperson  Charles Bukenya.

On March 16, Bukenya testified that during a February 22 security meeting, the RDC mocked the tenants and told them to choose between the land and facing the wrath of Alam's gun-wielding security detail.

Commissioners Frederick Ruhindi and Dr Rose Nakayi advised Tinkamalirwe to go the extra mile and engage the tenants in comprehensive discussions.

The RDC was also told to seek expert security advice to ascertain the gravity of the land row that had resulted into a security problem.

Commission team

The commissioners are Frederick Ruhindi, Mary Oduka Ochan, Robert Ssebunnya, Joyce Gunde Habaasa, Dr Rose Nakayi and George Bagonza.

Ebert Byenkya is lead counsel, while Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya (High Court judge designate) 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 into the effectiveness of the Uganda Land Commission in administering public land and relevant bodies in the reservation of wetlands, forests, road reserves, and national parks, among other gazetted spaces.