UGANDA, Iganga | Real Muloodi News | Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba has taken decisive action in Iganga Municipality by ordering the arrest of four prominent businessmen accused of grabbing government land.
The crackdown follows allegations of illicit acquisition of land housing Nakalama Sub-county headquarters and a seed school in Nakalama Village.
The prominent tycoons implicated in the scandal are Hamdan Nkoobe and Ali Baaga, accompanied by Swaaga, the LC1 chairman of Nakalama C Village, and Deo Wakabi, the former sub-county chief of Nakalama.
Minister Nabakooba’s directive, issued on Tuesday, 13th February 2024, also included the cancellation of four land titles obtained illegally on Nakalama Sub-county land.
The accused individuals stand accused of encroaching on 50 acres of government land and subsequently acquiring fraudulent land titles.
The land dispute dates back to last year when Nakalama Sub-county initiated legal proceedings against Nkoobe and three others for criminal trespass and encroachment.
Despite a ruling in favour of Nakalama Sub-county by the high court in Iganga, halting any further development on the contested land, the encroachment persisted.
During a tense meeting at Nakalama Sub-county headquarters, Minister Nabakooba instructed law enforcement to arrest the four individuals for their alleged involvement in the encroachment and construction of a commercial building on government land.
A group of youths attempted to obstruct Nkoobe’s arrest but were dispersed by heavily armed police led by the district police commander, Patrick Mwesigye.
Minister Nabakooba expressed her determination to address the rampant cases of land grabbing, vowing to hold accountable anyone found guilty of such illegal activities, regardless of their status or influence.
She announced plans for a public Baraza on 11th March to gather feedback from the community regarding encroachments on government land.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the land-grabbing scheme intensifies, with Minister Nabakooba demanding the retrieval of all relevant documents and thorough interrogations of the suspects and involved parties.
She cautioned against the unauthorized sale of government properties, emphasizing the significance of preserving public assets such as schools and administrative offices.
Hamdan Nkoobe defended his actions, claiming familial ownership of the disputed land and alleging defamation by those opposed to him.
However, Minister Nabakooba remains resolute in her pursuit of justice, determined to uphold the rule of law and safeguard government resources.
As the investigation progresses, the accused individuals remain in custody at Iganga central police station, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The Resident District Commissioner of Iganga, Sadala Wandera, acknowledged previous complaints of land theft and encroachment but affirmed the district’s commitment to addressing such issues under Minister Nabakooba’s directives.
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