Govt opposes Madhvani evictions

Aug 19, 2010

President Yoweri Museveni has directed the arrest of people spreading what he described as false proganda that the Government is behind the illegal land evictions in Busoga.

By Vision reporter

President Yoweri Museveni has directed the arrest of people spreading what he described as false proganda that the Government is behind the illegal land evictions in Busoga.

“Illegal land evictions are not allowed and the law is clear on that,” he asserted during a public rally on Wednesday at St. Paul’s College in Nakabbale village in Irongo sub-county in Iganga district.

He is in Busoga region to assess the impact of the Government’s Prosperity-for-All programme implemented under the National Agricultural Advisory Services. The programme is aimed at promoting modern agro-production for improved household incomes, food security and commercialisation.

Busoga is composed of the districts of Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Kaliro, Bugiri, Mayuge, Namutumba, Kiyunga and Buyende.

The area MP, Muhammed Mulumba, had reported to the President that the residents were living amid fear following reports that the Government is backing the Madhvani family, the proprietors of the Madhvani Group of Companies, to evict residents of Nakabugu and use the area for sugar cane production.

The President dismissed the claims as baseless and malicious, prompting him to order the arrest of those responsible for spreading false information.

The 500-acre land has been the centre of a conflict between residents and Kakira Sugar Works owned by the Madhvani Group, both claiming ownership.

Museveni’s intervention followed protests by residents who petitioned the President’s office

Recently, Museveni halted the opening of boundaries on the disputed land.

The presidential private secretary on land matters, Mariam Namayanja, said the opening of boundaries had been stopped until the rightful land owner was established.

Responding to the issue of Irongo power line that was promised in 2001, the President reported that the process stalled after the original contractor abandoned the job, adding that a new contractor will be identified soon.

During his tour, the President visited a model farm in Nakabbale village in Kyanuuma parish, where Robert Nsibirano rears poultry and grows pineapples and coffee.

The President gave him sh0.5m and a pick-up truck. He also gave another sh0.5m to Dibula Atyaime farmers group, which consists of 30 farmers, and sh0.5m to Nakabbale women’s group.
Museveni was entertained to songs recounting and praising NRM achievements by the Bukooma youth group of Bukooma Catholic Primary School led by a young girl, Sylvia Koingiza.

He was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, members of Parliament, and district and local leaders.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});