City tycoon, Sudhir Ruparelia has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga inquiry why parliament’s oversight committee, Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) dragged his property on plot 24, Kampala Road among the disputed properties belonging to Custodian Board.
“We have followed part of the ongoing COSASE inquiry regarding Departed Asians properties Custodian through televised and print media. A property that belongs to Meera Investment Limited has been mentioned as part of the inquiry” Mr Sudhir asks in his August 14, 2019 letter to the Speaker.
He further continues “That property is plot 24 Kampala Road, Kampala (Freehold register volume 1062 Folio”.
Sudhir says inclusion of plot 24 Kampala Road is contempt of Court because the matter was conclusively handled.
“COSASE is now inquiring into a matter and ownership decided upon by the High Court in 2012. We are seeking clarification and guidance from you whether Parliament can inquire into a matter where a decision of court has been made or where a matter is in court. Then whenever matters in court come to an end, parties can come to parliament for another decision” Sudhir’s letter reads in part which was also copied to Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe.
Sudhir in his petition says he bought the said property in 1995 and thereafter went to court for judicial review under LD CR 16 0f 2012 to challenge the Custodian Board’s claim:
“High Court listened to us and listened to Custodian Board (represented by Attorney General) and made a decision on December 20, 2012 in our favour”
The select sub-committee COSASE is investigating circumstances under which properties that were compensated for by government have been grabbed. The Members of Parliament have since asked the government officials who handled the Departed Asians properties to table proof of compensation for each property. The select sub-committee is chaired by Makindye East MP Ibrahim Kasozi.
