FORMER MP BUJENJE COUNTY KABAKUMBA IN LAND CONFLICT, RESIDENTS WANT TO REFUND MONEY

By Yosam Gucwaki
www.mknewslink.com
In Masindi

Residents of three villages Kityedo,Bihanga,Ikioba in Bwijanga sub county Masindi district and the former Member of parliament for Bujenje county Kabakumba Labwoni Matsiko have resolved to jointly pursue compensation from the land commission over the land the two parties are fighting for.

Kabakumba and three residents are fighting for over 600 hectares of land which she claims to be hers.
Kabakumba contends that in 2004 Custodian Board advertised many properties including Bujenje estate and she was among the bidders and she was considered.

The land in question is hosting over 600 households.

She also explains that when she acquired the land she held a meeting with residents in 2006 and explained to them how they would use it.

Julius kahira Mbogo, the District councilor for Bwijanga Sub County who is also a resident said that according to the plaint filed by Kabakumba, it indicated that by the time she acquired the land there was no occupant something Kahira says was a total lie.

Kahira also noted that the meeting which was convened by Kabakumba in 2006 told them that she had bought the land for them.

Kahira also wonders why Custodian Board never gave them chance to show interest in the land since they have been on it for many years.

Following this disagreement, in 2017 Kabakumba dragged the residents of the three villages to Masindi high court accusing them of failing to vacate her land.

In turn Bujenje residents also sued Uganda land commission and Registry of titles faulting them of fraudulently issuing the land title to Kabakumba.

0n 12th April 2019, Masindi resident judge albert Rugadya Atwooki instructed the two parties to first settle the matter out of court before continuing with their case and assigned counsel Willy Lubega to take lead in the mediation.

During the mediation which was held today at Kolping hotel in Masindi town, Kabakumba gave three options to the residents of the three villages, they include leasing the land they are occupying,buying or accept to be compensated.

But the residents rejected all the three options and opted for refunding back the money she used to buy the land from the custodian board with interests but Kabakumba objected it on grounds that she gave them chance to do so but for them politicized it.

However, CounselWillyLubega the mediator advised the two parties to jointly pursue for the compensation from the land fund but Kabakumba first insisted explaining that it is not easy to access it since there are hurdles and bureaucracy.

Willy Lubega added that when they fail, the matter will come back to court.

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