KAMPALA —Mubende residents are envisaging some light at the end of the tunnel after Land Probe report recommended that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) reopens and thoroughly investigate businessmen Abid Alam over massive land fraud and inciting violence, murder among other heinous crimes.
The DPP had in November 2018 dropped murder charges against the businessman claiming that the witnesses to the alleged crimes gave police conflicting accounts, a move that was contested by residents and local NGOs, including the Witnessradio.org.
In the new development, the leaked report by the land probe has suggested that Abid Alam should be investigated for possible prosecution for murder, assault and grievous harm, inciting violence, disobedience of lawful orders and unlawful destruction of property, among others.
According the leaked report the alleged crimes are linked to violent evictions of locals from a large swathe of contested land in the central district of Mubende among other areas.
Several residents have in the recent past repeatedly accused Abid Alam of intimidation, torture, silently killing those vocal of his actions and land grabbing.
At the centre of contention is a 12-square mile piece of land in Nalutuntu Sub County, with allegations that Alam grabbed the land from several Bibanja holders and violently displaced over 700 families and secretary killed some.
Residents said Abid Alam reportedly hired machete-wielding men to attack families and committing atrocities including torture and detentions against occupants of five square mile-land in Kassanda South in Mubende District.
One of the residents claimed that her husband David Ssenyama, who was LC 1 chairman was attacked and killed by workers of the Indian businessman in the presence of the police.
The Justice Catherine Bamugemereire-led land Commission has been investigating the effectiveness of the law, policies and processes of land acquisition, management and registration in the country since it was set up by President Museveni on December 8, 2016.
November 9, Saturday marked the end of the 18 months extension granted by the President in May 2018 to enable the Commission complete its work.
Statistics at the Commission show that 7,799 complaints were received and 2,700 of them filed by people, who were threatened with evictions based on court orders.
While others were illegal orders. Businessman Abid Alam is widely mentioned in the land scam especially in Mubende and other parts of the country.