Land Probe: Demand for sh44b by rock claimant unrealistic

Entebbe Town clerk Charles Magumba after appearing before the Land Probe Commission. Photo by Denis Dibele

The land probe team has dismissed compensation claim of sh44b for rocks by the Entebbe town clerk as speculative and unrealistic.

Charles Magumba is seeking compensation for rocks from government on his land which he said is affected by Isimba Dam project.

Proceedings are conducted at the Archives and Records Centre on Lourdel Road in Nakasero.

Commission's chairperson Justice Catherine Bamugemereire said Magumba bought land at Nakatoke village, in Kayunga district because as a town clerk he had prior knowledge that government would construct a dam in the area.

Yesterday, Justice Bamugemereire said Magumba did not buy the land because he wanted to use it for farming, but because he speculated that he would get a higher value after selling the land to government.

Commissioner Frederick Ruhindi said it was wrong for Magumba to use his knowledge as a public official to acquire land and sell it to government at an exorbitant price.

"As a town clerk and as a government official who is supposed to be guiding government on how public resources should be managed, you are in court against yourself because you are part of government over land you bought at sh51m.

You are in court claiming sh44b. I don't why we should downplay this conflict of interest," Ruhindi said.

After failing to be compensated Magumba sued government and wants to paid for loss of livelihood. He bought the land in 2011 before the project started.

However, Magumba insisted that he bought the land with a viewing carrying out farming, but the later government took over his land without compensating him for the rocks.

Magumba told the commission that he was deprived of his future income. He said he had planted trees and food crops which were destroyed upon the commencement of the power dam project.

Commission team

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire is probe chairperson. 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, Andrew Odiit, is assistant lead counsel and Loyola Karobwa is a legal associate to the commission.

Dr Douglas Singiza is the Secretary to the commission, while Daniel Rutiba is Deputy Secretary.