Junior Lands Minister, Hon Sam Mayanja has ordered the cancelation of two land titles belonging to former Deputy Prime Minister, Henry Muganwa Kajura. The Minister also ordered the reinstatement of over 100 families that have been settling on this contested land, and threatened that anyone that tries to evict them shall be arrested and prosecuted.
The land in question is located in Kiragura Parish, in Kitoba Sub County, Hoima district. The Minister had earlier this month been petitioned by the residents who reported the former Premier for threatening them.Henry Kajura served as Deputy Prime Minister until 2016, and also as Minister of Public Service. He’s now aged 89. Hon Mayanja was informed in the petition that Mr. Kajura had processed three different titles over the same plot of land.
One title dates back to 1971, while the other two were processed in 2007 and 2020. The one in 2020 was processed around February during the COVID-19 pandemic when the issuance of titles had been stopped, according to the residents’ petition to the minister.
During a locust visit to the land this week, the Minister told the exited residents that he had ordered the cancellation of the last two titles. “We have now decided that the last two titles are canceled,” said Mayanja as the locals celebrated.“As such, all of you should sit and settle on your land, and rest assured that no one is going to touch you. The Government is going to bring surveyors to survey your land and will give you titles at no cost.”
For Mr Kajura, Minister Mayanja advised him to take his 1971 title to the Ministry of Lands and see what could be done for him. “But whatever discussions he’ll have with the ministry that does not concern you as tenants. Your issue is now fixed,” added the minister.Hon Mayanja also ordered the RDC of Hoima and local police to arrest any member of Kajura’s family who attempts to threaten these families. “Even if someone thinks about touching you, they will be arrested. The Government is going to protect you,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Mr Elijah Kaliisa Abooki, the LC3 Chairman of Kitoba Sub County said this particular land issue had become so protracted that three other ministers had intervened in the same recently. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).