Ministry halts transfer of Temangalo land to NSSF
Oct 01, 2008
The lands ministry turned down a request by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to transfer part of the Temangalo land into its name.
By Mary Karugaba and Milton Olupot
The lands ministry turned down a request by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to transfer part of the Temangalo land into its name.
NSSF on September 18 wrote to the ministry “to quickly transfer the remaining titles†into its name so that it takes over ownership of the land.
However, in a September 24 letter to the NSSF managing director, David Jamwa Chandi, the ministry said the transfer would wait until “all the irregularities are sorted out and definite plots given to the ministryâ€. According to the letter, signed by Lucy Kabege on behalf of the ministry’s permanent secretary, the land is located on plots 12, 16 and 20 in Busiro, Temangalo, Wakiso district. The land, measuring 272 acres, belongs to city businessman Amos Nzeyi.
“This is to confirm to you that we are in receipt of the forms for transfer and consent. However, with the ongoing investigations by the parliamentary committee on commissions, this office finds it prudent to stay the matter until all the irregularities are sorted out,†the letter read.
Halting the transfer would avoid complications involved in annulling transfers erroneously registered, Kabege explained. She advised NSSF to lodge a caveat on each title to protect its interest on the land.
In March 2008, NSSF bought over 464 acres of land from Nzeyi and Arma Limited, a company linked to security minister Amama Mbabazi. The land was bought at sh24m per acre.
The committee is investigating whether there was political influence-peddling, whether the procurement procedures were followed and whether it was bought at a fair price.
Two pieces of land on plots 21 and 191 belonging to Arma Limited were transferred earlier.
Chairman Johnson Malinga told journalists that the committee wants to summon the ministry’s permanent secretary, David Musoke Gabbindade, to explain why the transfer had not been done.
Gabbindade is to appear today, before the National Social Security Fund management will present their final submission.
“We want him to explain further why the transfers have not been done despite NSSF submitting dully signed transfer forms,†Malinga said.
“They have no reason for staying the transfer because the committee has never objected to the process. We want the land in the names of NSSF.â€
The lands ministry turned down a request by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to transfer part of the Temangalo land into its name.
NSSF on September 18 wrote to the ministry “to quickly transfer the remaining titles†into its name so that it takes over ownership of the land.
However, in a September 24 letter to the NSSF managing director, David Jamwa Chandi, the ministry said the transfer would wait until “all the irregularities are sorted out and definite plots given to the ministryâ€. According to the letter, signed by Lucy Kabege on behalf of the ministry’s permanent secretary, the land is located on plots 12, 16 and 20 in Busiro, Temangalo, Wakiso district. The land, measuring 272 acres, belongs to city businessman Amos Nzeyi.
“This is to confirm to you that we are in receipt of the forms for transfer and consent. However, with the ongoing investigations by the parliamentary committee on commissions, this office finds it prudent to stay the matter until all the irregularities are sorted out,†the letter read.
Halting the transfer would avoid complications involved in annulling transfers erroneously registered, Kabege explained. She advised NSSF to lodge a caveat on each title to protect its interest on the land.
In March 2008, NSSF bought over 464 acres of land from Nzeyi and Arma Limited, a company linked to security minister Amama Mbabazi. The land was bought at sh24m per acre.
The committee is investigating whether there was political influence-peddling, whether the procurement procedures were followed and whether it was bought at a fair price.
Two pieces of land on plots 21 and 191 belonging to Arma Limited were transferred earlier.
Chairman Johnson Malinga told journalists that the committee wants to summon the ministry’s permanent secretary, David Musoke Gabbindade, to explain why the transfer had not been done.
Gabbindade is to appear today, before the National Social Security Fund management will present their final submission.
“We want him to explain further why the transfers have not been done despite NSSF submitting dully signed transfer forms,†Malinga said.
“They have no reason for staying the transfer because the committee has never objected to the process. We want the land in the names of NSSF.â€