Government to pay absentee landlords
Nov 03, 2010
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has told the people of Nakasongola that the Government will pay off absentee landlords so that the residents own the land they currently occupy as squatters.
By Cyprian Musoke
& Frederick Kiwanuka
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has told the people of Nakasongola that the Government will pay off absentee landlords so that the residents own the land they currently occupy as squatters.
Museveni, the NRM candidate in next year’s presidential polls, was yesterday addressing a rally at Lwabyata sub-county headquarters in the newly created Budyebo constituency in Nakasongola district.
He said with the enactment of the land Act, the NRM had stopped forceful evictions on such land.
“Many people don’t understand that the Movement works systematically.
Bbugu bbugu ssi muliro (rushing is bad). We eventually enacted the land law which bans forceful eviction or buy-out. They (landlords) are just threatening you but the law bans them from evicting you.â€
Most of the people in Buruuli are squatters on Mailo land owned by absentee landlords. The land was annexed by the colonial government following the 1900 agreement under which Buruuli, which was part of Bunyoro, was added to Buganda.
Large tracts of land were also given to Buganda collaborators who helped the British subdue King Kabalega of Bunyoro.
Museveni stressed that nobody should be forcefully evicted from land which they have occupied for over 10 years, and on which no one claims legal ownership.
“The rich man cannot buy you forcefully. If he bought land with occupants, it means he bought air. Forceful eviction leads to a seven-year sentence,†he said.
“The Government has got many priorities but when we are ready, we shall pay them to ensure that the land is yours,†he said.
But even before the land titles are secured, Museveni urged the occupants to develop the land.
The Presidential entourage included First Lady and Karamoja affairs state minister Janet Museveni, Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebaggala, Presidential adviser on Buganda Robert Ssebunya, Nakasongola district chairman James Wandira, former security state minister Muruuli Mukasa and newly-elected NRM flag-bearers.
Museveni said he is seeking another term because NRM is the only party that treats all Ugandans equally, citing recognition of the Baruuli kingship despite objection from some sections.
“When Baganda wanted their kingship restored, we did despite resistance. Some people in the Government tried to resist, but I told them if somebody wants something really bad, we should support them get it.â€
The President’s speech was interrupted when he took a few minutes to quell a fight in the crowd.
He amused his listeners when he teased the aggrieved parties.
“If a fighter does it in the house, they brag, but when you take them outside, it becomes a different story. Can I take you to Somalia so that you taste the gun where anger is needed?â€
Museveni thanked Nakasongola for their unwavering support when he was fighting the bush war of the 1980s and the successive elections.
He appealed to them to support the NRM and it’s flag-bearers in the 2011 elections.
Museveni added that they were talking to those who lost the primaries to rally behind the flag-bearers.
He urged the Baruuli to live harmoniously with others. “NRM believes in harmonious living. What one does are actions of an individual, not the entire institution. The Baganda who live here, although Mengo and the British defeated you, don’t look at them as bad people but as Ugandans and judge them individually.â€
Museveni urged the people to guard against HIV AIDS, saying health is wealth.
He noted that although drugs elongate one’s life, they do not cure the disease.
At Kikamulo sub-county headquarters in Nakaseke North constituency, finance minister Syda Bbumba gave a lengthy speech, introducing flag-bearers for all MP, district and local council positions and local businessmen, which made a heavy downpour catch up with the President.
Although Museveni persisted for 30 minutes as the people scampered to safety, he gave up and drove to the next destination in Kapeeka.
Residents expressed gratitude for the construction work on the Matugga–Ssemuto road, saying it provided employment.
They promised to vote for Museveni.
& Frederick Kiwanuka
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has told the people of Nakasongola that the Government will pay off absentee landlords so that the residents own the land they currently occupy as squatters.
Museveni, the NRM candidate in next year’s presidential polls, was yesterday addressing a rally at Lwabyata sub-county headquarters in the newly created Budyebo constituency in Nakasongola district.
He said with the enactment of the land Act, the NRM had stopped forceful evictions on such land.
“Many people don’t understand that the Movement works systematically.
Bbugu bbugu ssi muliro (rushing is bad). We eventually enacted the land law which bans forceful eviction or buy-out. They (landlords) are just threatening you but the law bans them from evicting you.â€
Most of the people in Buruuli are squatters on Mailo land owned by absentee landlords. The land was annexed by the colonial government following the 1900 agreement under which Buruuli, which was part of Bunyoro, was added to Buganda.
Large tracts of land were also given to Buganda collaborators who helped the British subdue King Kabalega of Bunyoro.
Museveni stressed that nobody should be forcefully evicted from land which they have occupied for over 10 years, and on which no one claims legal ownership.
“The rich man cannot buy you forcefully. If he bought land with occupants, it means he bought air. Forceful eviction leads to a seven-year sentence,†he said.
“The Government has got many priorities but when we are ready, we shall pay them to ensure that the land is yours,†he said.
But even before the land titles are secured, Museveni urged the occupants to develop the land.
The Presidential entourage included First Lady and Karamoja affairs state minister Janet Museveni, Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebaggala, Presidential adviser on Buganda Robert Ssebunya, Nakasongola district chairman James Wandira, former security state minister Muruuli Mukasa and newly-elected NRM flag-bearers.
Museveni said he is seeking another term because NRM is the only party that treats all Ugandans equally, citing recognition of the Baruuli kingship despite objection from some sections.
“When Baganda wanted their kingship restored, we did despite resistance. Some people in the Government tried to resist, but I told them if somebody wants something really bad, we should support them get it.â€
The President’s speech was interrupted when he took a few minutes to quell a fight in the crowd.
He amused his listeners when he teased the aggrieved parties.
“If a fighter does it in the house, they brag, but when you take them outside, it becomes a different story. Can I take you to Somalia so that you taste the gun where anger is needed?â€
Museveni thanked Nakasongola for their unwavering support when he was fighting the bush war of the 1980s and the successive elections.
He appealed to them to support the NRM and it’s flag-bearers in the 2011 elections.
Museveni added that they were talking to those who lost the primaries to rally behind the flag-bearers.
He urged the Baruuli to live harmoniously with others. “NRM believes in harmonious living. What one does are actions of an individual, not the entire institution. The Baganda who live here, although Mengo and the British defeated you, don’t look at them as bad people but as Ugandans and judge them individually.â€
Museveni urged the people to guard against HIV AIDS, saying health is wealth.
He noted that although drugs elongate one’s life, they do not cure the disease.
At Kikamulo sub-county headquarters in Nakaseke North constituency, finance minister Syda Bbumba gave a lengthy speech, introducing flag-bearers for all MP, district and local council positions and local businessmen, which made a heavy downpour catch up with the President.
Although Museveni persisted for 30 minutes as the people scampered to safety, he gave up and drove to the next destination in Kapeeka.
Residents expressed gratitude for the construction work on the Matugga–Ssemuto road, saying it provided employment.
They promised to vote for Museveni.