More than 500 families residing in Manyago Housing Estate, Manyago village, Katabi Town Council, Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso district, are confronting an imminent threat of eviction. Their homes, situated on a 15-acre piece of land, were leased to a third party without their consent, plunging them into a state of fear and uncertainty.
During a press conference led by their legal representatives, spearheaded by Stanley Okecho from GEM Advocates, the affected families highlighted their plight. Initially, they had petitioned the court, leading to a Consent Judgment affirming their right to priority consideration in any lease agreements involving the land.
As per the terms outlined in the Consent Judgment mediated by Court of Appeal Geoffrey Kiryabwire, the occupants were granted a one-month window to apply for their respective plots from Entebbe Municipal Council. Subsequently, they were allotted five months to settle the requisite premiums and fees as stipulated in the offer letters. The agreement also mandated the occupants to demolish their existing dwellings within the allocated timeframe upon lease approval.
Entebbe Municipality was entrusted with facilitating the approval of building plans and granting necessary consent, as per the consent decree. However, despite these provisions, the families discovered that the municipal council proceeded to lease the land to a third party, contravening the court’s directives.
In response to the families’ concerns, Entebbe Municipal Council initiated an evaluation process to determine the land’s value, as mandated by the court. However, the Chief Government Valuer’s delay in furnishing the valuation report prompted the council to remind him of the pending task after a year of waiting, citing recommendations from the Auditor General’s Report and the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee.
Amidst this bureaucratic delay, it surfaced that the land had been clandestinely leased to Bugembe Kaggwa Ssegujja for a 49-year term, starting January 20, 2023, at a nominal premium of 20 million shillings and an annual rent of 100,000 shillings. Documents uncovered discrepancies, indicating that while the consent judgment was reached in 2020, the lease to Ssegujja was purportedly executed in March 2011, raising suspicions of fraudulent activity.
In response to inquiries, Ssegujja asserted the legality of his acquisition, emphasizing compliance with all regulatory requirements and documentation. He refuted claims of impropriety and highlighted his adherence to due process.
Expressing their anguish and disillusionment, the affected families demand the annulment of the allegedly fraudulent lease in favor of Ssegujja and call upon government intervention to address their grievances. Notably, individuals like Flavia Aliru and Joyce Okiror, both facing potential eviction, exemplify the human toll of this protracted legal battle, urging authorities to uphold justice and protect their rights as citizens.
The discord between the families facing eviction and the contested leaseholder underscores the urgency for a transparent resolution to safeguard the livelihoods and security of vulnerable communities in Entebbe Municipality.
