You will be evicted from wetlands, Ministry of Lands and Anti Corruption Unit warn residents
Many residents in Mutungo will be evicted from a piece of land in Butabika Kasaawe village, Nakawa division, which has been under contestation, because it is a wetland.
By John Kusolo
UGANDA - Many residents in Mutungo will be evicted from a piece of land in Butabika Kasaawe village, Nakawa division, which has been under contestation, because it is a wetland.
Also those in Kinawataka are set to be affected. This was revealed by the Ministry of Lands, housing and Urban development technical officials during a meeting held last week at Hotel Africana.
According to the latest findings released by the Ministry of Lands, the land which has different land titles is a wetland and belongs to Butabika Ward in Kampala Capital City Authority not Wakiso as alleged by some residents.Residents who have lived in this place for over five years were left in shock shortly after they were told that more than 40 land titles will be cancelled since they occupied the land illegally.
The process of eviction stalled after Col Edith Nakalema, the then head State House Anti-Corruption Unit said, no one should be evicted until the government pronounces itself on the matter.
“All the land titles will be canceled, no one is allowed to own a title in a wetland. There is no development activity accepted to continue on this land because it is a wetland. The ministry of Water has confirmed with a clear report and no more people are allowed to settle on this land,”she said. Nakalema said some government officials who had been accused of spearheading land wrangles in this area will be investigated.
“We are told some names but investigations are ongoing. Once proved that they connived with other people to buy titles in a wetland, they will definitely be arraigned before courts of law. Police are investigating,” she said.
However, according to Head of Anti- corruption Unit Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke , plans are under way to implement the eviction of locals living on the said wetlands.
During the meeting by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban development, the following resolutions ad timelines were passed; A comprehensive report containing the list of all title owners will be given to cabinet within one month.
Details of land titles issued (mother titles, sub division etc) and dates of issue (MOLHUD) - 1 month
Details of Environment Impact Assessment issue dates and duration (NEMA) - 3weeks.
Capture areas with titles but not developed, areas developed but not titled, areas titled and developed, and areas developed (MOLHUD)-3 weeks. Share shape titles of all wetlands from 1991 and all titles issued.
Cabinet paper will be developed based on wetland boundary shape files. (MOLHUD)
Fast track the process of wetland gazetment - 1 month (MOLHUD)
Make formal requset for titles in wetlands to be cancelled based on the shape files (MWE)
Provision of alternative livelihoods for displaced people in wetlands - 1 month.
