Eagle Online is in possession of a document detailing Asian properties in Kampala that were acquired through fraudulent means. Some of the properties are currently owned by big personalities in government.
The properties were being managed by the Departed Asian Properties Custodian Board (DAPCB). The Indians left most of their properties when former President Idi Amin expelled them from Uganda. Some have come back to repossess them while some have faced challenges to repossess them.
The document says many of the properties were not dealt with according to the law as compensations, transfers, repossessions, ownership, management and dealings were carried out under DAPCB.
For instance, the document reveals that Plot 11 Kololo Hill Drive was compensated by the government of Uganda but it was fraudulently repossessed by Ruhul Jayantilala Patel. The property was originally in the names of Rashmikat Narshibhai by the time of the expulsion.
Further Plot 6 on Prince Ann Drive was also compensated though it now owned by the Permanent Secretary in the Gender Ministry Pius Bigirimana after being repossessed through fraudulent means.
Among other plots which were compensated by government but are now repossessed by private individuals are Plot 3 Kampala Road and Plot 7 prince Anna Drive. Both properties are owned by Kassam Muntaz, according to the document.
The document reveals that property management companies of Asians operating in Uganda today have repossessed or claimed deported Asian properties using Powers of Attorney from purported owners abroad. Unfortunately, the document says some of the properties were compensated by government.
Some of the accused companies are; Property Services Managers with 200 properties, MUMTZ Properties Limited with 100 properties, Alder Bridge Properties and Ranjan Taylor. Others are; INDAR SINGH (Sikh sawmills &Ginners), Balbinder Singh, Galandesha and Rafiki Mohammed.
The document shows that some properties have more than one certificate of title. Case in point is Plot 14 on Ben Kiwanuka Street.
Eagle Online has uploaded pages of the documents for details on the matter.
Meanwhile, following reports that some unscrupulous people, including politicians were hatching plans to take over properties repossessed by Indians, the Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary, Keith Muhakanizi has come out to warn against cancelling of certificates confirming repossession of the said properties.
Muhakanizi in a letter dated May 23, 2018, to George William Bizibu, the Executive Secretary Departed Asian Property Custodian Board (DAPCB), reminded him of an earlier meeting that guided; “where a repossession certificate for properties any under the Board had been issued, only the relevant courts of law had the authority to cancel such certificates in accordance with the law.”
Muhakanizi in the letter said during the meeting, members agreed that the ministry of finance and the board of (DAPCB) must continue to respect the rule of law.
Muhakanizi’s directive comes after the Land inquiry headed by Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire interrogated Lands Minister Betty Amongi for reportedly using a company Amobet Investments Limited she co-owns with her sister Adongo Keti to acquire temporary possession of four lucrative government properties in Kampala after they were repossessed by the Asian family in 1992.
Minister Amongi, who is a member of the Departed Asian Property Custodian Board is said to have used her position as minister to acquire the properties located along Acacia Avenue in the plush residential area of Kololo registered in the names of Toshak Munubhai Patel.
The property is currently occupied by Midcom Telecom. Another residence is located on Prince Charles Drive in Kololo.
Amongi said her Managing Director tried to apply for the property as early as 2010 before her appointment as a Minister only to lose interest upon obtaining another business opportunity in South Sudan.
Muhakanizi has warned that any orders of court must be complied with and that whoever disobeys will held liable as an individual.
The Finance Minister Chairs the Departed Asian Property Custodian Board.
Other members of the board include Lands Minister, Attorney General and Local Government Minister among others.
There is evidence that DAPCB temporarily allocated property which was already re-possessed and certificates issued.
Muhakanizi has informed ministers who are members of DAPCB and the Clerk to Parliament who has requested information to assist Members of Parliament carry out their oversight functions in this matter.
