Land body rejects proposals
Sep 29, 2003
THE Uganda Land Alliance has protested the recent proposal by the Cabinet to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) to allow the Government to compulsorily acquire land without prior compensation,
THE Uganda Land Alliance has protested the recent proposal by the Cabinet to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) to allow the Government to compulsorily acquire land without prior compensation, reports Charles Ariko.
The co-ordinator of the Alliance, Harriet Busingye, said if passed, the amendment would leave the poor people without security to their land and the property would be taken by the Government without prior and adequate compensation.
Last week, the Cabinet proposed a number of amendments to the Constitution, among which was the proposal to amend Article 26 (2) requiring that prior compensation should not be a pre-condition for the Government to acquire land.
Busingye told a press conference at Uganda Women’s Network offices in Kamwokya that the public should be involved in decisions that concern their land.
“We have learnt that the Government wants to acquire land and give it to private investors.
Why should the Government plead or acquire land for private investors? Is it in public interest or the politically powerful want to increase their riches? Why should taxpayers’ money be used to compensate for land given to private investors?†Busingye queried.
She said the proposed changes would mean that the Government could acquire private land and compensate people when money is available.
“The Government takes long to compensate. The process takes several years. Where are these people supposed to go when they have been deprived of their land and they have no money to resettle somewhere else?†Busingye asked.
She said compulsory acquisition of land must be aimed at benefiting the larger community economically to improve their lives.
The co-ordinator of the Alliance, Harriet Busingye, said if passed, the amendment would leave the poor people without security to their land and the property would be taken by the Government without prior and adequate compensation.
Last week, the Cabinet proposed a number of amendments to the Constitution, among which was the proposal to amend Article 26 (2) requiring that prior compensation should not be a pre-condition for the Government to acquire land.
Busingye told a press conference at Uganda Women’s Network offices in Kamwokya that the public should be involved in decisions that concern their land.
“We have learnt that the Government wants to acquire land and give it to private investors.
Why should the Government plead or acquire land for private investors? Is it in public interest or the politically powerful want to increase their riches? Why should taxpayers’ money be used to compensate for land given to private investors?†Busingye queried.
She said the proposed changes would mean that the Government could acquire private land and compensate people when money is available.
“The Government takes long to compensate. The process takes several years. Where are these people supposed to go when they have been deprived of their land and they have no money to resettle somewhere else?†Busingye asked.
She said compulsory acquisition of land must be aimed at benefiting the larger community economically to improve their lives.