MITYANA- The residents of Seeta, Miggo and Kabule in Mityana district have appealed to the government through the Lands Commission to reimburse their landlord, Julius Kagombe in a bid to save them from relocation.
Mr. Kagombe, the landowner alongside other people bought 300 acres of land from Mr Albert Ddumba who is now deceased.
However, the landlord has been processing documents to own half of the land at the expense of other landowners with intent to sell it off , this will potentially leave many of the residents destitute without a home.
These revelations were made by the Kabule LC2 Chairperson on Friday.
“People in this area survive on cultivation, we request government to get money and compensate Mr Kagombe so that residents can stay on the land,” he said.
The residents revealed to the Justice Catherine Bamugemereire-led Commission of Inquiry that the landlord did not grant them an opportunity to present their concerns.
Records show that Mr Kagombe originally purchased each acre of the land at UGX 850,000 which he is now selling at an exorbitant fee of UGX 70 million for each acre which the residents have vehemently protested against.
“We were first stopped from paying ground rent to appear to have defaulted. The next thing we heard is that the land had been sold,” said Godfrey a resident of Seeta.
Mr Fred Ruhindi a Commissioner, who led the delegation to Mityana district, assured the residents that there is a land fund, which the government can compensate the landlord he further urged the residents to remain calm.
“Nobody should push you to sell your land but if you must sell, then you should remain together and bargain as a group. Do not bargain as individuals because you will be cheated,” Mr Ruhindi advised the residents.
He also requested Mr Kagombe, the new landlord to be lenient on the residents.
