Public Service Muruli Mukasa appeared before the Land Commission inquiry into land acquisition and management to defend himself on the allegation that he aided a businessman and industrialist Abid Alam to evict over 7,000 people from land in Bukoba in Mubende. While testifying before the Commission on Tuesday, the then Chairman of Bukoba, Charles Bukenya accused the Minister of causing his arrest. “The team led by the then Minister Hon. Muruli Mukasa learned that I had petitioned. Were you aware of the arrest of Mr. Bukenya Charles? Yes, he was arrested. So why was he arrested? Because he was inciting violence. So who was he inciting? The people who had agreed...” “If this Commission has talked to Mr. Bukenya and we have had no reason to arrest him. And am just wondering how you can think that you are going to help a leader of a community and do so by arresting him.”
Members of the Commission questioned the Minister for allegedly conniving with Abid Alam to deny bonafide occupants of the land. “The government of President Museveni advocating for not evicting people without payment, are you hearing Minister.” The Commission obtained documents indicating that the committee that was appointed by the President and headed by Muruli Mukasa literally compensated people as low as 35,000 for an acre of land. “And you got an acre of land at 35,000 shillings, do you think they were selling you genuine land at 35,000 shillings per acre?” “About the amount of money, well am not really...” “Search your heart and tell the Commission that if you really pay somebody 350,000 shillings, he can move away from there and start a new life with children.”
Meanwhile, Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire warned the Police and Prison authorities against arresting people on what she called trumped-up charges in cases related to land wrangles. “But should it be found out that people are on fringed charges, woe onto you. I would like to warn you, the Prison authorities do not treat people badly just because a big land owner has made sure they are remanded.” This is after prisoners testified before the Commission. “However, I was charged with murder with a one Tumwine Steven, I was charged with Paul Sinamenye...” “Actually, as far as this morning, I talked to the director Public Prosecution and he’s aware that these issues happen in Mubende and he’s actually concerned that there might be very many people on aggravated robbery and murder when actually these are simple land conflicts.”
They were arrested in July this year for alleged killings a one Steven Tumwine who was a manager of Formosa Agricultural farm belonging to an alleged Chinese national. The land under dispute was located in Bugoloto sub-county in Mubende district and allegedly belonged to Buganda Land Board. The Committee was informed that a one Prince Kimera sold the land to the Chinese national, showed the Commission scars which he claims were from injuries inflicted by the workers of the Chinese national on the farm. “I was beaten and later cut.” He accused a senior Police officer before the Commission of frequently arresting him on trumped-up charges.
