The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Betty Amongi Ongom was on Tuesday quizzed by the Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire led Commission of Inquiry into land matters, writes Isaac Baligema.
The Commission engaged the Minister on matters relating to circumstances under which her company, Amobet Investments Limited, came to acquire four prime properties in Kampala; two of the four properties are located at Kololo (plot 29 Acacia Avenue and Prince Charles Drive), a property at Mengo and another property in the Industrial Area.
Clad in a long maroon and green dress, the jovial Minister arrived at the national records center and archive building where the commission sits at exactly 8:45am and was engaged by the Commission’s investigations desk for four hours as she recorded her statement.
On Monday (May 7, 2018) morning, Justice Bamugemereire stated that if the Minister won’t show up on Tuesday (today May 8, 2018), the Commission would be left with no choice but to issue an arrest warrant upon the person and body of Honourable Amongi.
The Commission faulted the Minister for influencing the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board (DAPCB) in allocating the properties to her company.
On many occasions the Judge raised her voice against the Minister and accused her of not reviewing her past relationships, engagements and businesses in regards to her current position as a Cabinet Minister to ensure there is no conflict of interest whatsoever.
The Minister was engaged by the commissioners in the public hearing hall from 12:44pm up to close to 7pm and she will return tomorrow on Wednesday (May 9, 2018) to be engaged on the matter to do with the Land Fund.
As usual, we shall keep you posted as events unfold.
