The Chairman of Uganda Land Commission today appeared before the Commission of Land Inquiry to answer to charges regarding the giveaway of school land in Kampala to private investors and other parties. The land in question is that which belongs to public schools owned by Kampala Capital City Authority. It is alleged that Uganda Land Commission leased out land belonging to Kololo Senior Secondary School and Nakaseero Primary School without the consent of KCCA.
When asked about these allegations, the Chairman Baguma Isoke acknowledged the irregularities involved in giving these lease offers and apologized. “My Lord I take that as disobedience of a lawful order.” He however, pointed out that the Commission has few members and old equipment which affects efficiency. “As I informed this Commission we have two technical people on land and the work we are having is enormous. Following up these leases which are about to expire, payment of the pre-requisite, ground rent all these are issues which are not adequately monitored as the Auditor General has observed.”
The Director Education and Social Sciences at KCCA Juliet Nambi Namuddu had earlier told the probe team that they had applied for 15 leases for school land but their effort was being frustrated by the Commission. Baguma Isoke vowed to ensure that the authority receives the titles within one week. “I am going to sit in the registry and have these titles out.” “When is it you agree you are going to sit so that we hear about this outcome?” “Madam, give me a deadline.” “No, we don’t have. Your sitting is statutory, we don’t want to interfere with the way you sit because you sit as a Commission, you have your timeline but when is the nearest sitting and when can this be considered?” “My Lord, I meant sitting at the land registry.” “Sitting at the land registry?” “Yes, My Lord. Because we have done our part, the rest is conveyancing.” “So can we give one week?”
According to KCCA, the irregularities conducted by the Uganda Land Commission in its activities have brought about the demolition of some schools thus affecting not only their activities but also the pupils. KCCA oversees over 79 government aided primary schools and 22 secondary schools but has only 4 land titles including Kamwokya, Buganda Road, Kisasi and Kyagwe primary schools.
