UGANDA, Mpigi | Real Muloodi News | Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised concerns over the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) allegedly forcibly acquiring land valued at USh33.3 billion belonging to a savings and credit co-operative society (SACCO) and Ssese Habitat in Namwabula Village, Mpigi District.
The accusation was made during a session of Parliament’s Committee on Budget, chaired by Patrick Isiagi Opolot, the MP for Kachumbala County.
The committee’s latest report, approved by Parliament on January 31, 2024, highlighted the occupation of the land by UPDF before formal acquisition procedures were initiated.
Opolot informed the House that during the financial year 2024/25, a provision of USh17.661 billion had been allocated, leaving a gap of USh157.3 billion.
He further revealed that UPDF had compulsorily acquired land belonging to the Parliamentary SACCO and Ssese Habitat in Namwabula, Mpigi District, with an estimated value of sh33.3 billion.
The committee recommended the allocation of USh157.3 billion in the financial year 2024/25 to compensate all claims related to land acquisition by UPDF.
In response to the allegations, Jacob Marksons Oboth, the State Minister for Defence and West Budama Central MP, denied claims of UPDF’s compulsory acquisition of the Parliamentary SACCO land.
Oboth clarified that UPDF’s occupation of part of the land was coincidental, stating that the issue of compensation would be determined by the chief government valuer.
He emphasised that the ministry deals with the parliamentary SACCO on behalf of individual MPs and follows standard procedures for land acquisition.
Regarding the procurement of land for strategic security and defence-related objectives, Oboth explained that UPDF does not publicly announce its land acquisition plans.
He asserted that UPDF occupies land first and then initiates the compensation process, highlighting that the current occupants may not necessarily be the rightful owners.
Oboth emphasised that while part of the land may belong to the Parliamentary SACCO, there are other landowners, including Ssese Habitat, in the vicinity.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
UPDF Initiates Eviction of 40,000 Settlers in Apaa Land Dispute
Kayunga Residents Disarm and Confront UPDF Soldiers in Land Dispute
