By Aggrey Baba
A dispute over the ownership of land in Lubowa has led the High Court to halt major development projects, including the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) housing project and the construction of the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda.
Justice Musa Ssekaana issued an order stopping any further development on the contested land, located at Kyadondo Block 269, Plot 3034 in Lweza, Lubowa. This comes as the administrators of the estate of the late Prince Yusuf Ssuna Kiweewa battle in the Court of Appeal to assert their ownership rights.
The Attorney General and the Commissioner of Land Registration had petitioned the court, seeking to overturn an earlier ruling that allowed the estate administrators to claim the land. Justice Ssekaana ruled that a stay of execution would be in place for 12 months to maintain the status quo while the case is resolved.
The ruling is expected to further delay the NSSF housing project, which was launched in 2022 with a budget of UGX 1.5 trillion. The project, set to deliver 2,750 residential units, has already faced setbacks due to ownership disputes. Similarly, the Lubowa Hospital project, which has received significant government funding, is now in limbo as court battles continue.
Justice Ssekaana emphasized that the land’s ownership must be properly investigated and resolved before any development proceeds. He questioned why NSSF opposed the investigation, stating that failure to clarify ownership could create further disputes and legal complications.
Meanwhile, another legal case involving allegations of fraudulent land transactions related to the NSSF property is ongoing, with five individuals set to face trial.
With the Court of Appeal now handling the matter, the fate of these multi million-dollar projects remains uncertain. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
