Gen Katumba Wamala and Dr Maggie Kigozi at an earlier scouts event

 

The serene and tranquil Kaazi camping site, home to the Uganda Scouts Association (USA), has become the battleground for a fierce ownership dispute, triggering the resignation of USA’s chief commissioner, Gen Katumba Wamala.

The 120-acre parcel of land, originally registered in the names of the Kabaka of Buganda, has been at the centre of a shady land sale involving USA trustees, the Uganda Land Commission (ULC), and two companies. Baker Mugaino, the commissioner Land Registration, is later this week set to meet all parties claiming ownership of the multibillion 120 acres of land in Kaazi, a greater Kampala suburb.

The land, whose title is in the names of the Kabaka of Buganda, is home of the Uganda Scouts Association (USA) but recent developments on it, including parceling out of new plots, have greatly divided several stakeholders that also include the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) as well as two companies.

The Kabaka, through the Buganda Land Board, accuses the trustees of USA for illegally subleasing the land without the consent from the Kabaka. As a result, BLB petitioned Mugaino to cancel all the titles recently created on the land and return it to the Kabaka of Buganda.

It emerged recently that several trustees of USA worked with officials from ULC as well as two companies to subdivide the land into seven new plots. The move has not only caused a fallout amongst the trustees but also caused the resignation of Gen Katumba Wamala on top of alerting Buganda Land Board about the dealings.

The trustees who assented to the deal include eminent people such as Dr Maggie Kigozi, Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng, Dr John Mugisha, Patrick Barugahare Mujuni and Richard Kamya. However, Lucy Nakyobe, the head of Public Service, did not sign.

FALLOUT

Documents seen by The Observer indicate that last year, the trustees subleased part of the land to two companies; Serena Heights Kaazi Ventures and Sky and Lakes Limited totaling about 32 acres. Part of the land has since been subdivided, with some of it graded for real estate.

Several scout leaders that spoke to The Observer claim the sublease deal was worth about Shs 5bn. According to sources privy to the matter, USA intends to make developments by setting up modern camping facilities at the site.

“USA wants to tap into the tourism potential of the area by creating amenities such as a hotel, swimming pool and other attractions,” said the source.

Upon learning about the deal, Gen Katumba Wamala, the USA chief commissioner, put in his resignation. In an April 12, 2023 termination letter to the chairman of the Council Uganda Scouts Association as well as its board, he noted that he found it difficult to continue serving the association as chief commissioner (chief scout).

“This is in addition to other issues surrounding unscrupulous conduct of some members of the association whom I would rather not conflict with,” he noted.

Meanwhile, The Observer understands that some of the people that upended their signatures on the deal are claiming to have been misled.

“I was convinced the companies were going to work under USA to develop the land but I am also shocked they also subleased the land to unsuspecting buyers,” said one of the trustees who signed the deal but preferred anonymity.

Efforts to reach out to other trustees were futile as they didn’t respond to our repeated messages and calls. The Observer further understands that the USA is set to hold an emergency meeting on November 20 to iron out the differences and put the record straight.

“There is so much tension and grumbling in the association and it is making everything hard,” said a top-level member.

“If anyone profited from the alleged sublease then they will have to carry their own cross.”

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT KAAZI?

Kaazi camping site is one of the most serene and tranquil places on the outskirts of Kampala. It is renowned for being the home of the Uganda Scouts Association as well as a conservation place.

Over the past few years, the area, along with neighbouring Kigo, have transformed to become popular places for the affluent to stay. In fact, according to locals that The Observer talked to, a 50X100m plot of land has risen tenfold in the past 10 years.

“If you don’t have Shs 100m, you cannot buy a plot in the area,” said a land dealer in the area.

SO, WHO OWNS LAND AT KAAZI?

One cannot establish the true owner of the land at Kaazi without traversing the history of land in Buganda kingdom. The 1900 Buganda agreement is the blueprint for land distribution in Buganda kingdom. Article 15 of the Buganda Agreement provides for allotment of land to both private persons and office holders. These among others include the Kabaka, Katikkiro, Mulamuzi, Nnamasole, Ssaza and Ggombolola chiefs.

However, for purposes of the land at Kaazi where there are two overriding interests of ownership, the beneficiaries of the estate of the Late Sir Daudi Chwa and the Buganda kingdom, the 1900 Buganda agreement allotted then Kabaka of Buganda Daudi Chwa 100 square miles while the Kabaka of Buganda [the office] was allotted 350 square miles of land.

The position of the 1900 Buganda agreement was in the 1908 Buganda Native Laws enacted by the Buganda Lukiiko under Section 2(b) was to the effect that the 350 square miles allotted to the Kabaka in the 1900 agreement shall be Kabakaship mailo for the time being.

The land at Kaazi, was originally registered under Final Certificate - FC.18454 later registered in MRV (Mailo Register Volume) 269 and Folio 25. At the inception of Block and Plot system of mailo registration, the subject land was registered as Kyadondo Block 273 Plot 5 at Masajja as official Mailo registered in the Kabaka of Buganda by virtue of his office.

On July 1, 1948, the Kabaka leased the land to the trustees of the Uganda Scouts Association for a term of 49 years for purposes of scouting and camping. The lease was registered under instrument No. 81336 under Leasehold Register Volume (LRV) 236.

In 1966, kingdoms were abolished by the central government and their official estates, including the Kabakaship mailo, was confiscated by the state and the same was vested in the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) by virtue of Article 108 of the Constitution. On July 1, 1988, ULC, into which land at Kaazi was vested, extended the lease with the trustees of the Uganda Scouts Association for a term of 59 years.

When government restored kingdoms in 1993 under the Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act, the official estates comprised in the 350 square miles Kabakaship mailo, which had been confiscated under the 1967 Constitution, was restored to the Kabaka of Buganda, including the land at Kaazi.

In fact, the ownership of the land formerly comprised in F.C 18454, inclusive of the land at Kaazi, was settled by the High court which ruled and declared that the land belongs to the Kabaka of Buganda in Prince Kalemera Kimera Vs Kabaka of Buganda and 3 others HCCS no. 535 of 2017.

In 2001, the Kabaka of Buganda filed Civil suit No. 1024 of 2001 in the High court against the Registered Trustees of the Uganda Scouts Association for breach of both the express and implied terms of the lease agreement, specifically the change of use and nonpayment of ground rent.

In 2018, the High court entered a default judgement in favour of the Kabaka. However, the Uganda Scouts Association applied to court to set aside the default judgement and the application was granted thus the matter is still before court.

Despite the fact that the matter is still in court, the Uganda Scouts Association and the Uganda Land Commission have dealt with the suit land by sub-diving it to create seven plots without the consent of the Kabaka.

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Well there goes the contradictions of running a state government of the Kingdom of Buganda under the NRM political manifesto. It is all about saying one thing and then doing something else. Mind you this Scout thing as it is now called USA , originated from the Apartheid sympathizers in South Africa who were good at scouting the whole continent of African. Scouting generally means the action of gathering information about enemy forces or an area of real interest. Every African knows very well what that means as the colonialists arrived and started scouting places of abode in Africa! If the Mengo elites do not understand it all it is unfortunate indeed for them. You do not come from anywhere any time at someone's land territory and scout and continue to renew leasehold of land at gun point and then you the owner accept such deals as International Legitimate Agreements. Tebatubalamu magezi?

The government of Uganda is set to lose more than Shs 3 billion per year following the ban on the issuance of a certificate of good conduct to people travelling abroad for jobs.

Recently, the Gender, Labour and Social Development minister, Betty Amongi Ongom wrote to her Internal Affairs counterpart, Gen Kahinda Otafiire, indicating that the cabinet has resolved to suspend the issuance of a certificate of good conduct.

“This is to notify you that beginning Wednesday, October 13th, 2021, all categories of migrant workers will not be required to present Interpol certificate as a pre-condition for travel except those travelling for security-related jobs,” reads Amongi’s October 8 letter in part.

Previously, all people travelling abroad for work would apply for the certificate of good conduct from Uganda National Central Bureau commonly known as Interpol–Uganda. The certificate serves to confirm whether or not the person has a criminal record and whether or not he is on the list of wanted criminals in any Interpol member states.

According to records, the Interpol directorate collects Shs 3 billion annually from issuing the certificates. For instance, Interpol collected Shs 3.9 billion in 2020 from issuing the certificates and Shs 2.9 billion in 2019, the lowest in the last three years.  Each applicant pays Shs 76,000 to access the certificate.

Interpol director SCP Charles Birungi, says that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, they were issuing over 500 certificates on a daily basis, which translates to Shs 38 million per day.

More than 97 per cent of the certificates issued, according to Interpol are for external labourers. Ronnie Mukundane, the spokesperson of the Uganda Association for External Recruitment Agencies (UAERA), says that they are extremely happy with the cabinet decision to suspend the issuance of the certificate of good conduct.

Mukundane argues that the certificate has been an impediment to the recruitment process in general because it has been taking over two months from the date of payment to the time of acquisition.

“The removal of this Interpol certificate has reduced the lengthy process even at the airport, many of the licensed recruitment companies have lost business because of this delay. We are extremely happy that this removal will make the formal externalisation process faster,” Mukundane said.

On the question of whether Interpol would not be isolated since the certificate of good conduct is what has been keeping the area busy, Birungi and his deputy Joseph Obwana, explain that the institution has very many duties it plays day in day out.

Some of these roles include coordinating with other Interpol member states on transnational crime investigations, provision and facilitating the exchange of evidence in respect of investigations of transnational crimes, provision of technical advice on areas of transnational police cooperation between Uganda and bilateral, regional and international organizations.

Other roles of Interpol include liaising with other law enforcement agencies in combating transnational and cross border crimes, overseeing joint and regional cross border operations in combating crime, and coordinating all matters related to the extradition of fugitives in liaison with the relevant authorities.

Data of 2020 shows that Interpol issued clearances for 450 motor vehicles and motorcycles thus collecting Shs 27 million. Obwana expounds that they conduct operations targeting terrorism, stolen vehicles and hence Interpol cannot be idle.

UAERA elaborates that even the certificate of good conduct has been a good source of non-tax revenue for the government, the new regulations provide other avenues of collecting the same money like payment for every job vacancy $30 by the licensed recruitment companies.

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One would wonder how much Interpol certification revenue per person was lost for those African countries that were directly involved in international slave trade? This was the European-American slave trade that involved the transportation by slave traders of various enslaved African people, mainly to the Americas. The slave trade regularly used the triangular trade route and its Middle Passage, and existed for 300 years from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Unfortunately for those now very developed countries, such dodgy but lucrative revenue could have ended on 18 December,1865 when slavery legally ended. Such an article as this one underpins how these poor African countries now continue to benefit much more from a lucrative modern slavery. Of what benefit are these international good conduct certificates to the thousands of stranded young immigrants in Libya and elsewhere looking for any available low paid employment?

Masaka High court has ordered prison authorities to provide specialised treatment to Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana so as to enable him to recover faster such that he stands trial.

Resident judge Lawrence Tweyanze issued the orders today Tuesday during the hearing of the second bail application by Ssewanyana and his Kawempe North counterpart, Muhammad Ssegirinya, who are battling terrorism charges.

The legislators applied for bail through their lawyers led by Erias Lukwago on the grounds of ill health, saying they can't access the required medical attention while in prison. Lukwago told court that their clients, especially Ssewayana is currently bedridden because of ill health and could not attend court in person because he is currently admitted at Mulago National Referral hospital.

He revealed that they are afraid that Ssewanyana’s medical condition is gradually deteriorating and that he may even not live to stand trial. Caleb Alaka, another defense counsel told the court it is in the interest of justice that the accused persons receive the required treatment such that they stand trial.

In his ruling, Tweyanze directed the prison authorities to ensure the accused persons receive specialized medical attention pending the hearing of their bail application.

"The lord mayor informed court about the status and condition of both Allan and Ssegirinya. Now, we told court we came to hear a bail application, court told us that it was only ready for mention. They called us for purposes of mentioning the application but not to hear it and they were going to give directives. Although court was bent on fixing this matter for hearing from day today but because the state was not ready, court now had no option but to hear the application...Because of insistence on the health situation, court said in the meantime, it ordered for specialised treatment but the good news is at least we're not going to be having a hearing which is going to be prejudicial. We're going to have the bail application. And I want to assure you if all goes we do not see reason why these people should not be out. It is a decision of court but we're optimistic," said Alaka.

Richard Birivumbuka, the Masaka principal resident state attorney who is the main prosecutor in the matter, asked the judge to halt the main trial for murder in Masaka to allow them first to proceed with the terror charges before the International Crimes Division in Kampala. According to the state, it will be logistically exhausting for the state and the defense to be subjected to back-and-forth movements between Kampala and Masaka if the trials are conducted concurrently.

He informed the court that the International Crimes Division of the High court in Kampala has already fixed the hearing of the matter beginning next month February 20 and prayed that they first conclude the trial before they can handle the murder charges in Masaka court. In his response, Lukwago lashed out at the state for opposing their earlier prayers to merge the case files such that they can be heard jointly.

Notably, following their arrest in September 2021, Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana, and five others were committed to the High court for trial in November 2021 for murder, attempted murder, aiding and abetting terrorism arising from the wave of machete killings that marred Masaka and Lwengo districts between March and June 2021 where more than 20 people lost lives.

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Good that modern Africans over human rights are blaming each other nowadays other than blaming colonial governance that seems to have disappeared from this continent 40 years ago. One wonders what sort of African professional judges are these that continue to imprison human beings left, right and center because of their different political beliefs? In actual sense of the history of this poor African country, political murders, prosecution and imprisonment have been on going in this country since the beginning of independence of this country when these two prisoners were not even born! It is only God knows how it is going to be like in 100 years of Uganda's independence!   

Some demonstrators denounced the United States, which is among the foreign powers that have called for a cease-fire as a yearlong war that has killed thousands of people intensified amid rebel advances last weekend.

The United States, the UN Security Council, the African Union, and Kenya and Uganda have called in recent days for a cease-fire. Abiy's government has pledged to keep fighting. On Friday, the government said it had a responsibility to secure the country, and urged its international partners to stand with Ethiopia's democracy.

Some of those gathered in Meskel Square in central Addis Ababa draped themselves in the national flag. Many singled out the United States for criticism.

US President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday accused Ethiopia of "gross violations" of human rights and said it planned to remove the country from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade agreement.

"Shame on you USA," read one demonstrator's placard, while another said the United States should stop "sucking Ethiopia's blood."

Other demonstrators expressed anger at the US call for the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to begin talks.

The conflict in the north of the country started a year ago when forces loyal to the TPLF seized military bases in the Tigray region. In response, Abiy sent troops, who initially drove the TPLF out of the regional capital, Mekelle, but have faced a sharp reversal since June this year.

"Why does the US government not negotiate with terrorists like al-Shabab?" said 37-year-old Tigist Lemma, referring to an al-Qaeda linked militant group in Somalia. "They want to destroy our country like they did to Afghanistan. They will never succeed, we are Ethiopians."

Speaking at the rally, Addis Ababa mayor Adanech Abebe invoked Ethiopia's history of resisting colonial power to justify the war. The conflict has killed thousands of people, forced more than 2 million from their homes and left 400,000 people in Tigray facing famine.

On Sunday, UN aid chief Martin Griffiths and the AU's special envoy to the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, landed in Mekelle, one humanitarian source in Ethiopia and one person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

A spokesperson for the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ethiopia did not respond to a request for comment, and UN officials in New York were not immediately reachable. AU spokesperson Ebba Kalondo did not respond to a request for comment.

"I can confirm only that they are both here and we are having discussions," TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda told Reuters.

Government spokesperson Legesse Tulu did not respond to a request for comment on the officials' visit.

'No youth' to front lines

During the Addis Ababa rally, there was one call for restraint, from popular musician Tariku Gankisi, whose songs call for unity of all Ethiopians.

"Let no youth go to the front lines to fight, let the elders go holding the fresh grass and ask for reconciliation," Tariku told the crowd, before his microphone was switched off, it was unclear by whom. Fresh grass is a symbol of peace in the country.

A state of emergency declared by the government last Tuesday allows it to order citizens of military age to undergo training and accept military duties.

Reuters has not been able to confirm independently the extent of the TPLF advance. The TPLF and their allies told Reuters last week they were 325 km (200 miles) from the capital. The government accuses the group of exaggerating its gains.

The government has also complained about foreign media coverage of the conflict and some people at the rally held signs denouncing "fake news" in Ethiopia.

Billene Seyoum, Abiy's spokesperson, said in a Twitter post late on Saturday: "Orchestrated media propaganda against Ethiopia is escalating ... Despite it all Ethiopia will overcome!"

For Uganda and its finance it is very bad indeed as this poor country strives to encourage many African countries to join the larger union of East Africa for the sake of mainly trade and greater profits.