Businessman asked to refund sh13b to government

May 31, 2018

The commission tasked Warren Mwesigye with explaining why he received payment from the Land Fund yet he is not an absentee landlord

Warren Mwesigye appearing before the land probe commission. Photo by Denis Dibele

A city businessman, who the commission of inquiry into land matters said received sh13b from the land fund irregularly, has been asked to refund the money to government.

Commissioner George Bagonza demanded that Warren Mwesigye, a real estate dealer, refund the money to government saying he acquired it illegally.

The land that measures two square miles is situated in Kibaale district.

On Wednesday, Mwesigye, 51, was interrogated at the probe's public hearing conducted at the Archives and Records Centre in Nakasero, Kampala.

"What if these transactions were reversed and these titles were returned to you, would you be able to refund government money?" Bagonza asked.

Mwesigye said: "My lord, if the titles are returned to me and I can have vacant possession, I can sell and return the money to government."

The commission heard that the Mwesigye and his lawyer, Richard Buzibira, from Frank Katusiime and Company Advocates, allegedly conspired to defraud government of sh13b from the Land Fund.

Mwesigye and Buzibira are accused of duping a number of absentee land lords and selling their land to the Uganda Land Commission before pocketing the money.

The commission tasked Mwesigye with explaining why he received payment from the Land Fund yet he is not an absentee landlord.

"You have not only cheated people, but you have also cheated government and you have failed very important government programme," Bagonza said.

The Land Fund is a multipurpose resource basket with targeted beneficiaries, including tenants seeking to buy/own land, government seeking to buy land for redistribution to bonafide occupants or resettlement of the landless, loans to persons wanting to acquire titles or even survey their land.

Commission team 

The commissioners are Frederick Ruhindi, Mary Oduka Ochan, Robert Ssebunnya, Joyce Gunze Habaasa, Dr Rose Nakayi and George Bagonza. Ebert Byenkya is lead counsel. 

John Bosco Suuza is deputy lead counsel, while Andrew Odiit, is assistant lead counsel. 

Dr Douglas Singiza now Secretary to the commission, while Daniel Rutiba is Deputy Secretary.  
 
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 scrutinising the work of relevant bodies in the reservation of wetlands, forests, road reserves, and national parks, among other gazette spaces.  
 
The probe is mandated to Investigate and inquire into the role and effectiveness of the Uganda Land Commission in administering public land and the Land Fund.

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