A proposal that would allow government to acquire land without completing compensating for owners has been described as ‘‘being against the right of land owners’’ by a lawyer.
Komakech Henry Kilama of Komakech-Kilama and Co Advocates, who runs a Gulu based law firm said the 1995 constitution states that land in Uganda belongs to the people and people have the right to use it while government only offers protection.
‘‘The resolution is against the people`s right. Land belongs to the people. Government only protects it on behalf of the people,’’ Komakech said in an interview with Acholi Times.
On Wednesday last week, former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye told the media in a press conference at his home in Kampala that the gov’t proposals is aimed at grabbing land in areas such as northern Uganda.
Lawyer Komakech said in 2005 government wanted to amend the Land Act so it could get power over land but this was challenged. He advised that government to negotiate with land owners if it wants land for development.
‘‘The 1995 constitution gave power over land to the people; government should negotiate directly with the people it wants land,’’ he said.
The government has in the past faced hostility in its attempt to acquire land for investment in Apaa, Lakang and Kololo in Amuru district.
Members of parliament from Amuru have also raised concern over the proposals to change the law to allow government acquire land without completing compensation for land owners.
Lucy Akello, the Amuru woman Member of Parliament said they will fight the law to prevent peoples land from being grabbed ‘‘either by law or forcefully.’’
The ruling NRM party has numerical advantage in parliament meaning it can use its majority in the House to amend the Land Act.
Kilak Member of Parliament, also in Amuru district, described the proposal as ‘‘problematic.’’ He claimed government was targeting Apaa land in Pabbo, Lakang in Amuru Sub County, Olwal in Lamogi Sub County, Pabbo Kal in Pabbo Sub County and Ome ii in Amuru Sub County.
During the government retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Lands Minister Betty Amongi was quoted as saying government is in the final stages of tabling before Parliament amendments to the Land Act to allow government acquire and commence development on any person`s land before full compensation to avoid delays in implementation of government programs during compensation negotiations.
3 Comments
Why is the charcoal business still booming.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153811585284849&set=a.10153269800229849.1073741828.677179848&type=3
There is still no effective order from Amuru forest authority.The facilitators,Coordinators,Transporters are in deep Partnership in charcoal business.
The Councillors,MPs and village people who are owners of the Forest are suffering and Greedy rich people from Central Region dont give a monkey to Amuru Land owners.
What next? Acholi Lawyers must take legal battle to save the Environment.
At times i wonder the kind of people who are in NRM government for-example Amongi, how does she his grant will benefit from their ancestral land incase its taken all by the government. let her know that the money she is getting from the NRM government can get finish within one term and money is always a temporary visitor. so people in this parliament shouldn’t allow such a fake law to pass in this poor country of ours where most of us benefit from small scale farming.