Government is planning to retable constitutional amendments to facilitate the compulsory acquisition of land for its projects. The government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa says the amendments will be tabled during the next session of Parliament.
The changes were first tabled before parliament last year as part of the constitutional (amendment) bill 2017, intended to amend article 26 of the constitution, the proposal, however, triggered controversy across the country.
Opposition politicians and civil society organizations led a campaign against the amendment which they said had far-reaching effects and that it was likely to deprive Ugandans of the right to own land.
In the heat of the storm, the amendments were shelved. However, Nankabirwa said that the move was a tactical withdrawal intended to pave way for urgent business in Parliament.
The amendment also suggested that the government or local government would deposit with court for the property owner the compensation awarded, pending the court’s determination of the matters.
There is also suggestion to have a valuation Bill drafted to include a certain percentage of interest to be paid to the property owner in case of delayed compensation.
The proposals come hot on the hills of the ongoing commission of inquiry into Land Matters headed by Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire.
The commission, has among others, been inquiring into the effectiveness of land acquisition, land management and land administration in Uganda.
