The former state Minister for Finance Fred Omachi’s name has appeared among those involved in the selling abandoned Asian properties.
This follows a commencement of a special committee hearing into claims that some top government officials were illegally selling off properties formerly owned by Asians.
Officials from the Departed Asian Properties Custodian Board led by the Executive Secretary George William Bizibu on Tuesday revealed that some ministers influenced some transfers of land titles using their dockets which was illegal.
According to Bizibu and his staff, land certificates and compensation certificates were supposed to be signed by only the Minister of Finance. However, some documents were signed by the then state minister Omachi.
The revelation forced the committee chairman Ibrahim Kasozi (Makindye East Member of Parliament) to ask them to mention the said minister’s name.
“Mr Secretary, can you tell us who are the people behind taking these properties?” Kasozi asked.
Bizibu answered and said, “We take this committee with the high esteem that it deserves, in confidence, we promise that we shall cooperate with you and slowly by slowly we shall reveal to you everything.”
However, the committee asked him to be on point and mention names.
“Don’t take us where we don’t want to go. Just name them and you are done. Do you know that person?” Chairperson asked.
“According to the file I have checked, this was done by Fred Omachi. There is also another property opposite Post Office which he also signed and ordered for its leasing,” Bizibu said.
The committee is still carrying out investigations, but according to Bizibu, among the most controversial properties that Omachi influenced is Plot 7 Dewinton Road and some plots in Mbale town.
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