The body which manages public land, Uganda Land Commission says it’s facing a number of challenges which hinders it from carrying out its work effectively.
Appearing before the land inquiry committee chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, Mr. Baguma Isoke the chairman ULC said one of the challenges they face is understaffing which he said hinders them to carry out their work effectively.
According to Isoke, evictions are taking place on land privately owned under mile tenure and big leases issued under the regime of the land reform decree (public act 1969) saying they face a lot of challenges to mitigate since there are only two people on the commission.
He also noted that some judicial officers together with some police officers make their work hard by covering up criminals concerning land issues.
what the constitution says
Article 237(1&2) of the 1995 Constitution stipulates that all land belongs to the citizens, but the Central Government or districts may acquire it in public interest as determined by Parliament. It also holds in public trust that all natural lakes, rivers, wetlands, forest reserves, game reserves, national parks and any land reserved for ecological and touristic purposes for the common good of all citizens.
In December last year, President Museveni appointed Court of Appeal judge, Bamugemereire to head the seven-man committee to probe into land matters that have become highly controversial in the land. But the Commission had been held up for several months due to lack of funds.
The Commission is expected to inquire into the effectiveness of law, policies and processes of land acquisition, land administration, land management and land registration in the country.
The Commission is expected to submit an interim report to the President within a period of three months from the date of its first hearing. The final report of its findings and recommendations are to be submitted within six months from the date of its first hearing.
Bamugemereire’s Commission on Wednesday also talked to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) boss Dr. Tom Okurut who ecommended to the committee investigating land administration and processes that the ban on polythene bags be followed through saying it possess significant health implications to users.
