Kampala: President Yoweri Museveni has extended the tenure of Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters by 18 months after expiry of the six months extension.
According to legal notice no.6 of 2018 of the Commissions Terms of Reference, Museveni rejuvenated their contract that expired yesterday May 9th 2018 to November 2019.
In the contract, Museveni, appointed Dr. Douglas Singiza as the Commission’s new Secretary replacing Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya who was recently appointed a Judge of the High Court.
Accordingly, Eagle Oline has reliably learnt that Daniel Rutiba has also been appointed to as Deputy Secretary, Susan Jagata as Deputy Lead Counsel and Andrew Odit the Assistant Lead Counsel of the Land Probe Commission.
Quoting legal Amendment Notice No. 2 of 2017 dated November 5, President Museveni renewed commission’s contract to six month after it had expired on November 9th 2017, he wrote ‘…this Notice shall be deemed to have come into force on the 10th day of November 2017…, The Commission shall execute its mandate under this Notice’
since it was established, the has grilled various government ministers including and these include Junior Minister for Water and Environment Ronald Kibuule, Minister for Lands Betty Amongi, and handed over various reports and recommendations that included abolishing of Milo land tenure system.
The committee headed by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire was appointed on December 8, 2016 and sworn in on February 17, to inquire into the Effectiveness of Law, Policies and Processes of land Acquisition, Land Administration, Land Management and Land Registration in Uganda.
Other Commissioners include: Owekitiibwa Robert Ssebunnya, Mrs. Mary Oduka Ochan; Mrs. Joyce Gunze Habaasa; Dr. Rose Nakayi; Mr. Fredrick Ruhindi and Mr. George Bagonza Tinkamanyire. The support team has: Mr. Ebert Byenkya (Lead Counsel) and Mr. John Bosco Rujagaata Suuza (Assistant Lead Counsel).
However, the probe has come under public scrutiny on its expenditure. Recently parliament called for its accountability before any funds could be released. The commission has so far spent Shs13 billion in 11 months.
