MASINDI, UGANDA – The former Minister for Bunyoro Affairs also the former Masindi Municipality MP, Ernest Kiiza Apuuli, has flagged the illegal leasing of vital government properties in Masindi, warning it threatens to cripple public service delivery.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a press briefing held at Country Inn Hotel on Tuesday, Kiiza revealed he is petitioning the Office of the President and the IGG to urgently halt the transactions, calling them a “total disregard of government policy on public assets.”
Controversy has erupted over Plot 26 along Masindi Port Road, government land housing over ten critical offices, after the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) leased it to Mustafa Serufambi and Abaine Malisito, according to documents seen.
The Uganda Land Commission (ULC) allocated a five-year lease, with an option to extend for a further 49 years, during meetings on June 13th, 19th, and 20th, 2024, as referenced in a letter dated September 29th, 2024.
The contested land hosts essential government departments, including the offices of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), District Internal Security Officer (DISO), Meteorological Department, Regional Prisons Commander, and district offices for Agriculture, Veterinary Services, Environment, and Probation.
In a further alarming disclosure, Kiiza stated that the official residence of the RDC on Plot 10, Kabalega Crescent, has also been sold to a private individual identified as Mohammed Mbabazi.
He warned that this could soon force the President’s representative out of his home, leaving the government to rent accommodation for its own officials at great public expense.
Darius Nandinda, the RDC of Masindi, acknowledged the issue, stating he had advised the Chief Administrative Officer to request the ULC give priority to the government as the sitting tenant.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the District Chairperson, confirmed that the land title for the RDC’s office and residence had expired, paving the way for private applications.
He vowed to fight the move, citing engagement with ULC officials at regional and national levels to block the issuance of new titles.
“If these properties are released to private individuals, service delivery will suffer. The government will be forced to rent office space, and future plans to construct permanent buildings will be jeopardized,” Byaruhanga emphasized.
Based on his past success in saving Masindi Public Primary School, Kiiza urged immediate action from the President and authorities to protect Masindi’s remaining government assets.
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