The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kikuube, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 1,000 families from six villages in Kikuube district, have petitioned Judith Nabakoba, the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development to intervene and revoke three different land titles that have been fraudulently acquired.
The affected residents are from the villages of Ndongo, Kisoba, Kahara, Nyanseke, Nyakabaale, and Hohwa, in Kaseeta parish, Kabwoya lower sub-county. The land in question measures 501 hectares covering all six villages.
The families are feuding with six people who have since processed and acquired titles for the contested land, which the affected families have occupied since the 1930s.
Some of the titles seen by Uganda Radio Network are registered in the names of Amos Munsiime Kurotaro and Gideon Tumwebaze, Sarah Mbabazi and Benon Tulinawe, and Matayo Butere and Aidah Bandonda.
The titles were processed and acquired in March 2021. Elias Bin Kalili, the LCI chairperson of Hohwa village wants the government to intervene and investigate the circumstances under which the tycoons acquired the titles without the consent of the residents.
In their petition dated October 12, 2022, signed by more than 1,000 people, the aggrieved residents want the minister to intervene and have the titles canceled.
They also want the minister to investigate the circumstances under which the six acquired titles in the area yet they are not residents in the area.
According to the residents, they have settled on the piece of land since 1910 to date without any conflict, wondering how the tycoons came to acquire titles in the area without the consent of area residents and leaders.
“We are the indigenous elders, women, men, and children who have resided in this area since 1910. We are Ugandans whose grandparents were born, raised, and buried in these villages. We married, produced, and have got grandchildren from here and we have had no land conflict on this piece of land,” read the petition. The residents are also wondering how titles that were applied for in Hoima district by the tycoons are currently being used to evict people in Kikuube district.
Patrick Okwairwoth, one of the petitioners says it is only the minister of lands, housing, and urban development who can come to their rescue since they have moved into various offices for help in vain.
Elias Kalil says the minister should immediately intervene and have the titles revoked since residents are currently having sleepless nights.
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