President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday released a list of his new cabinet.
Among the appointees is outgoing Minister of Information and Communications Technology Judith Nabakooba who was sent to the Lands Ministry. She replaces Beti Olive Namisango Kamya-Turomwe, who did not make it to the new cabinet.
While speaking during the 32nd Heroes day anniversary at Kololo Independence grounds, President Museveni revealed why he had to transfer Nabakooba to the Lands Ministry. He said the former Mityana Woman MP is strong-willed and has helped people with land disputes.
“That is why in the new government I proposed the name of one person the Hon Judith Nabakooba because this girl was fighting land grabbers in Mityana. That’s why I appointed her because some of these politicians are neither with God nor with Satan they are there in between. But Nabakooba was very strongly on the side of the people, that’s why I appointed her to the Ministry of Lands and I’m sure she will do a good job there. We must resolve these issues of land evictions,” he said.
President Museveni at the same event expressed dismay over Mailo land tenure system used in Buganda region which he said that is ”an evil system.”
“It’s not anywhere else in Uganda. It is really very bad and not fair but some people support it. How do you allow these things to happen?” he asked, adding that Landowners should be entitled to full ownership of their land like elsewhere in Uganda.
“In Ankole, nobody can chase you away from your land. You even fear. But in Buganda, they have so many actors with each one saying this and that and it’s all against a small person. We shall see what to propose including on the issue of absentee landlords.”
The Mailo Land Tenure System is where land is registered and owned in eternity or perpetuity with its holder having a land title for it. This land tenure in Uganda has its basis from the allocation of land pursuant to the 1900 Uganda Agreement, subject to legislative qualifications.
Land in Uganda held under mailo tenure is mainly confined to the Central region of Uganda. The system confers freehold granted by the colonial government in exchange for political co-operation under the 1900 Buganda Agreement.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
