UGANDA, Entebbe | Real Muloodi News | Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rulinda has dismissed apprehensions regarding the potential land eviction of tenants at Manyago Housing Estates.
Mayor Rulinda, on Monday 19th February, 2024, emphasised that the municipal council has no knowledge of any lease agreement concerning Manyago Housing Estate, nor do they have intentions to lease the land to any party without adhering to legal procedures.
“Our intention is to ascertain the value of the land from the Chief Government Valuer, as mandated by the law when disposing of land, and subsequently sell it to the current tenants,” he stated.
The mayor’s remarks come in response to concerns raised by a group of residents, led by their lawyer Stanley Oketcho from GEM Advocates, who expressed fears of being evicted following reports that the municipal council had leased out the land to a third party without their consent.
“While the court’s consent judgment directed that the sitting tenants be given priority in purchasing the land, we have discovered that the Entebbe Municipal Council purportedly created another lease over the same piece of land, which should rightfully have been offered to the sitting tenants,” the tenants asserted.
According to documents a lease agreement was indeed signed between Entebbe Municipal Council and one Bugembe Kaggwa Ssegujja, spanning a period of 49 years from January 20, 2023.
The agreement stipulates a premium payment of USh20 million and an annual rent of USh100,000.
It has been observed that while the municipal council entered into a consent judgment with the sitting tenants of Manyago Estate in 2020, the lease to Ssegujja by the council was executed back in March 2011. This timeline raises questions about the council’s actions and the potential conflicts arising from the overlapping agreements.
However, Mayor Rulinda refuted claims of the existence of a leasehold, expressing scepticism over the authenticity of the agreement.
He highlighted discrepancies in the timing of payments and raised doubts about the legitimacy of the transaction.
“I find it puzzling that someone obtained a lease in 2011 but claims to have made payments in 2023,” remarked the mayor. “As of 2023, our payments are made electronically, and I challenge him to provide evidence of payment to the Entebbe Municipal Council.”
The mayor further pointed out that if Ssegujja had indeed made payments, a Payment Reference Number (PRN) would have been generated by the bank.
However, the absence of such documentation casts doubt on the validity of the purported lease agreement.
The media briefing was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from Manyago Housing Estate.
Veronica Nsubuga, a representative of Manyago Housing Estate, urged the municipal council to expedite the resolution of the matter to prevent unrest among residents.
“We are puzzled by the delay in the intervention of the Chief Government Valuer; we suspect that these land dealers are exploiting the sluggishness of the process,” Nsubuga stated.
Deus Bbale, vice-chairperson of Manyago Housing Estate, urged for calm while the issue is being addressed, reassuring residents that no land eviction plans have been initiated.
Meanwhile, Ssegujja denied any intentions of evicting tenants and defended the authenticity of his agreement. “I possess valid documents,” he affirmed, expressing his intention to seek consent and guidance from the municipal council regarding the execution of the agreement.
“I am a law-abiding Ugandan citizen, and I cannot arbitrarily evict people. However, if necessary, I will resort to legal means to protect my rights,” Ssegujja asserted.
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