Kisoro district leaders met this Wednesday amid increasing land grabbing scandals.
The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament, John Kamara Nizeyimana of Bufumbira North and Dr James Nsaba Buturo of Bufumbira East. Others were the Resident District Commissioner Hajj Badru Sebyara, CAO’s Principle Assitant Secretary Kwizera George, and LC5 Chairperson Abel Bizimana. Also, in attendance were LC3 Chairpersons, Security Chiefs, Kisoro Municipality leadership and District technocrats.
The meeting was called by the Kisoro RDC Hajj Badru Sebyara to address rising tensions emanating from the alleged fraudulent takeover of land near Kisoro Central Police Station in Kisoro Town.
The land in question, plot 2 on Bunagana road, and plots 5 and 7 on Kisoro road are said to be owned by a one Agaba Abel, who has sued Kisoro Vice LC5 Chairperson Alex Nambajimana on trespass charges.
Court documents indicate that Agaba holds a leasehold title from Uganda Land Commission (ULC) he received in 2017.
On the other hand, documents indicate that Kisoro District, represented by the then Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sulaiman Kasozi and LC5 Chairperson Abel Bizimana, leased the land to Alex Nambajimana for a period of 10 years.
The tenant agreement was signed on June 4, 2020.
The Kabale High Court Assistant Registrar, Twinomuhwezi Henry has since placed ‘an interim order restraining any construction thereon pending the visiting of the in quo on 12th April 2024.’
The Interim order placed on the plots of landCouncil meetings held by Kisoro District and Municipal councillors on Thursday March 28, had unanimously endorsed a peaceful protest against the land takeover.
The two councils and district leaders claim that Uganda land commission fraudulently gave out the land to an individual.
Nevertheless, Wednesday’s meeting provided no answers to the current stalemate pitting the district leadership against Agaba, who owns a leasehold title.
Hon Kamara took a tough stand, vowing to fight off hungry hyenas off Kisoro public land.
“Let anyone go and attempt to construct on that land. Even of you’re my mother, I won’t tolerate and just watch as you do long.” He said.
Hon Kamara added that, “I will come with my community and fight you. The land is for Kisoro and we want it for further development.”
He challenged all district leaders to jealously guard public land for public investment.
His Eastern counterpart, Dr James Nsaba Buturo asked all leaders to join hands in addressing the problem. He however emphasised the need to follow the laid down procedures to acquire public land.
“If you want acquire land in Kisoro, there are processes and procedures to follow. If the argument is that it has not been followed, then we seek to have it rectified.”
He called for calm, urging all leaders to address that ‘simple’ matter.
Tempers flare
The Kisoro LC5 Chairperson, Abel Bizimana, cast the blame to Kisoro Municipal leaders for being involved in dubious land deals.
He accused the municipal leadership of conspiracy to grab district land, by shielding individuals to acquire District land located within Kisoro Municipality.
“You are going to see another war between Kisoro District and Kisoro Municipality. I am soon declaring some war, soon.”
“There is some land which some individuals are holding without us being aware, but being protected by the Municipality.”
He noted that the District land near Shaza playground, but the Municipality is gazetting it as its own open space, not for the District.
“This land is not the problem of the centre, we have crooks within ourselves, who are tricksters. I am going to write to the CAO here complaining, and I will give a copy to his bosses. He is not protecting District lands within the Municipality.”
Bizimana accused the CAO of conspiracy with the Town Clerk Kisoro Municipality to steal public land.
Response
However, the Town Clerk Kisoro Municipality, Kisubi Ayub distanced himself from the accusations, saying he has been in Kisoro for only 4 months.
“It is on record, I did not come to steal. The places being talked about, I found when people had already established developments there. I am 4 months old in Kisoro. I am not a thief!”
He also warned against what he called baseless accusations, saying he can leave Kisoro if its necessary.
“The war can start, but I will be protected by the law. If it means leaving Kisoro, I will leave.” Said Mr Ayub.
Another land grabbed!
Kisoro RDC Badru Sebyara blamed some leaders for keeping quiet as public land is grabbed. He also revealed that the land near his office was grabbed and a storeyed building is under construction.
“I have not heard any councillor complaining that how can we have such a big house on Kisoro land…and you people are keeping quiet. We don’t want to fight so many wars.”
He challenged the local people and leaders to stand against land grabbing by being whistle-blowers.
According to Sebyara, the local people know the land ‘thieves’ but remain quiet.
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