The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Sembabule, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Sembabule district local government is seeking an out of court settlement in a protracted land dispute with the Buganda kingdom.
Sembabule District Chairperson Patrick Nkalubo revealed this during the first meeting of the District Road Committee which convened in the district council hall on Wednesday. He said the executive is engaging in talks with Mengo to mend fences following hostilities over land that erupted between them in the last term of office.
Sembabule District Local Government and the Kabaka’s representatives in Mawogola county have been at loggerheads since 2019, over the occupancy on the land accommodating the district headquarters, Sembabule health centre IV, and Mijwala sub-county headquarters, whose ownership has been claimed by both institutions.
In 2020, the district sued Muhammad Sserwadda, the kingdom representative in Mawogola, accusing him together with the kingdom of unlawfully blocking the construction of a canteen structure next to the district headquarters. However, Nkalubo says that the new district leadership preferred to create peace with the kingdom and its representatives so that they can jointly serve the communities that are yearning for service delivery than administrative quarrels.
He says that the unresolved conflicts are curtailing the district’s development plans including the expansion of their infrastructure and other social development projects, which they could not undertake in the current stalemates yet the district does not have titles of the disputed land.
Nkalubo explains that the district cannot afford procuring alternative pieces to relocate their headquarters and Sembabule health centre IV which they want to be upgraded to a general hospital, but found it proper to obtain permission from Buganda, to grant the district lease offers to operate from the land without encumbrances.
He blames his predecessors for acting with arrogance against Buganda which according to him, is the lawful owner of the land under dispute.
Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo, also the Chairperson of the District Roads Committee welcomes the idea of reconciliation, saying that disputes were creating a lot of unwanted political tensions in the area. He says the underlying disputes were being fueled by personal egos and selfishness on some of the former leaders, whom he accuses of harboring interests of converting part of the land for their private use.
Malik Marahaaba, the Sembabule district Chief Administrative Officer confirms that there are ongoing negotiations which he says are aimed at creating harmony as a way of harnessing improved social services delivery.
Hajj Muhammad Sserwadda, the Buganda kingdom representative to Mawogola county traditionally referred to as Muteesa, indicates that they have always been open to dialogues and ready to work with all stakeholders under mutual respect.
******
URN
