UGANDA, Namanve | Real Muloodi News | The State Minister for Investment and Privatisation, Ms Evelyn Anite, has issued directives for the arrest of individuals involved in the illegal sale of land within the Namanve Industrial Park.
During her visit to the area, Minister Anite expressed concern over the fraudulent issuance of land titles by the Mukono land board officials, leading to unlawful transactions.
“This land is designated for investors, yet the Ministry of Lands and the Mukono land board have been issuing titles for it. These titles have been revoked,” remarked Minister Anite, highlighting the severity of the situation.
She emphasised the need for legal action against those responsible for issuing counterfeit land titles, calling for prosecution and the reimbursement of funds obtained through fraudulent means.
Minister Anite revealed that up to 300 acres of industrial land had been unlawfully sold to investors, affecting approximately 30 individuals.
“To those who purchased land within the wetland, the perpetrators will be held accountable for reimbursing your investments. Similarly, investors who acquired land outside the wetland area will receive freehold leases and reimbursement,” assured Minister Anite, addressing the affected parties.
The minister initiated criminal proceedings against Joseph Baroraho and Lamech Kiiza, whom she accused of facilitating the distribution of counterfeit land titles. In response, Baroraho defended his actions, asserting that he acquired the land legally through the Ministry of Lands.
“I conducted due diligence, obtained search reports, and completed the necessary transactions with registered titleholders before selling the land to investors,” stated Baroraho, refuting allegations of wrongdoing.
Similarly, Kiiza maintained that the titles he obtained were legitimate, obtained from the Mukono land board before the land’s degazettement.
“Namanve Industrial Park was degazetted and allocated to investors with the government pledging infrastructure improvements to support industrialisation efforts,” explained Minister Anite, underscoring the importance of preserving the designated industrial zones for economic development.
The Namanve Industrial Park serves as a critical hub for industrial activities, attracting both domestic and foreign investments.
However, the unauthorised sale of land within the park poses a significant threat to its integrity and undermines government initiatives aimed at promoting industrial growth.
As investigations proceed and legal action is taken against the implicated parties, Minister Anite reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring transparency in land transactions.
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