Land grabbing cases surge in Mbale city

Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Last week, 80-year-old Priscila Nakamya Ouma, a resident of Doko Kasanja I in Mbale City Northern Division lost her home to a private developer. According to Nakamya, the developer fraudulently bought part of her land from her son, Kiiza Kubiita.

Nakamya is just one of the many victims of land grabbing in Mbale city. Police register between 20 to 25 cases of land grabbing each month due to the hike in the price of land in Mbale since it was elevated to city status. Miriam Nambuya, the speaker of Mbale city says the land grabbing affects both private and the city land.

Speaking at the thanksgiving for the newly appointed Mbale City Land Board Chairperson Paul Wanyoto over the weekend, Nambuya noted that wealthy individuals are taking advantage of the vulnerable and poor persons to steal their land. She however said that the council leadership is optimistic that since Wanyoto is a lawyer, he will help to sort out such challenges.

Prosy Mwanjuzi, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner in Charge of Nothern Division revealed that she has handled several land cases since she assumed office. She appealed to the new Mbale City Land board members to fight land grabbing and work for the interests of the local people. Kassim Namugali, the Mbale City Mayor said that he appointed Wanyoto as the chairperson of the Mbale City Land Board to put the city in order.

The New Vision Chief Executive Officer, Don Wanyama said the new land board is coming at a time when there is too much pressure on land in Mbale city, which has fueled conflicts. Wanyama who hails from Mbale revealed that while growing up, it was easy to get land in Mbale, which is no longer the case.

On his part, Paul Wanyoto asked the people of Mbale to trust him, saying that he is going to deal with the issues of land within the city. He noted that he is looking at reviving the green spaces that have been sold off illegally and helping the city planners adequately plan for the city.

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