Members of Parliament are seeking to review CCTV footage to establish the transactions between a law firm, Lubega & Buzibira Co. Advocates and Nantalia Namuli.

The MPs on the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) are investigating the circumstances under which a Kampala based law firm, Lubega & Buzibira Co. Advocates represented 79-year-old Nantalia Namuli in the sale of 516 hectares of land in Kagadi district in Western Uganda.

The committee is also probing how businessman, Warren Mwesigye claims to have bought land valued at Shs2.09 billion at only Shs318 million and the role of the Namuli’s son-in-law, Peter Amara in the dealing.

Although all the witnesses and persons involved in the case have all interacted with the committee, they have all given contradictory statements prompting the committee to dig deeper.

Appearing before the committee on Wednesday 29 June 2022, Warren Mwesigye told the committee that he had bought the land at shs318 million and that he handed over the money to Natalia Namuli and her son-in-law on 25 July 2020 in the lawyers’ chambers at the NSSF House in Kampala.

“I remember the transaction was made on 25 July 2020; the agreement between me and Nantalia.  She had a claim in Uganda Land Commission that had taken years, and she wanted money and wanted to sell her interest, so I paid them in Shs318 million in cash,” Mwesigye said.

Mawokota South Member of Parliament, Yusuf Nsibambi asked Mwesigye to explain if he felt that was fair and humane to the old lady.

“Legally you are covered but humanely, don’t you think this was unfair for this old woman,?” Nsibambi asked.

Lawyer Richard Buzibira also concurred with the businessman that money was handed over to the Nantalia and the son in law but the son in law and Namuli have both refuted that sums of money were handed to them.

However, Peter Amara who allegedly received the money with Nantalia said that on 25th July 2020 when the said transaction happened, he was not even in Kampala nor was Nantalia Namuli.

“I refute whatever he has said. We have never been paid and there is no way I can lie to this committee. In fact on the day he says we met, I was never in Kampala,” he said.

The Committee Chairperson, Joel Ssenyonyi directed that telephone printouts of all the parties involved be availed to help in investigations.

Ssenyonyi said that the committee will also look at all the bank accounts of all the persons involved to ascertain the transactions that happened.

“You are expected to give us your bank statements and also give us your bank accounts so that we can conduct our independent investigations,” Ssenyonyi said.

On investigating whether the old woman and the son in law were paid, the committee has directed that the management of NSSF House where the law firm is based, provide CCTV footage for that day for analysis.

The committee will work with the Police in Parliament and the security and ownership of the building to get the footage.

According to Ssenyonyi, the committee seeks to find out exactly if the meeting happened but also if the land owners reportedly walked out with a bag of shs300 million.

Ssenyonyi also said that Warren Mwesigye and the lawyers should be prepared to refund the money since they bought the interest from a ghost owner.

“Do you know that actually taxpayer’s money was wasted on a ghost, that you paid someone who doesn’t own the land,” he said.

The investigation follows a petition from the genuine owners of the land who have called for the halting of all activities related to the land.

Stories Continues after ad

The Public Accounts Committee (Central) was forced to send away officials from Lira Regional Referral Hospital for failing to produce documents to support their responses to the Auditor General report of the financial year 2020/2021.

The hospital officials led by the Director, Dr. John Stephen Obbo appeared before PAC (Central) on Wednesday, 29 June 2022 but failed to present the financial statements, budgets and other key documents the committee had requested in an earlier meeting.

The Vice Chairperson of the Committee, Asuman Basalirwa said that when they met in the team from Lira in May, they had five queries that needed to be considered but the responses were unsatisfactory.

 “The queries included non-submission of wage estimates to the Ministry of Public Service payment of salaries, pension and gratuity,” Basalirwa said.

Basalirwa added that the hospital failed to absorb funds to a tune of shs1.5 billion with other queries on over and under payment of salaries. “The Auditor General noted that there was underpayment of about Shs19 million and a variance in the amounts on the payroll and the amounts to individual pensioners leading to over payment of over Shs220 million,” he added.

Kashari North Member of Parliament, Basil Bataringaya was dismayed that the accounting officers from the hospital could not provide the necessary documents to support their submissions.

 “I am surprised that you did not know that financials are needed. I don’t know why he has come here; we would not need you if we didn’t need financial statements. Given that there are serious queries, we cannot assume that you are holy,” Bataringaya said.

Tororo District Woman MP, Sarah Opendi said Lira Hospital officials acted as one who goes to the garden without the proper farming tools.

 “Even when people go to the garden to dig, you know that if the place is bushy you carry a panga; you don’t just move with a hoe.  I am wondering whether it is negligence, intentional or an oversight by the officers,” she said.

MPs noted that the hospital officials were taking the committee lightly prompting Basalirwa to adjourn the meeting prematurely for the officials to produce the required documents.

“I want you to work with your accountant and have those documents and come here tomorrow at 11am,” said Basalirwa.

He further reiterated that if the Lira team fails to produce the required documents, the committee will invoke its powers and revoke the transfer of the hospital director. The committee had earlier learnt that the Dr. Obbo is up for transfer.

“Should responses be unsatisfactory again, this committee can write and defy your transfer until the concerns of this committee are addressed. The committee cannot allow you to go to another station when where you are coming from there are other issues unresolved,” Basalirwa said.

Stories Continues after ad

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the bail appeal for Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya and Makindye West Legislator Allan Sewanyana.

Earlier this month, the legislators through their lawyers led by the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago appealed against the High Court ruling denying them bail. They contended that they have been on remand for over Six months without trial and therefore they should be released on bail. Citing medical complications, the two said that they were mishandled before and during arrest and they want to access thorough treatment.

In their ruling, a panel of  judges led by Barishaki Cheborion, Christopher Madram and Eva Luswata  said  Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction to make a decision on a matter that has not been concluded by the lower courts as the accused are neither sentenced nor convicted of the pressed criminal charges.

“Court can only rule on the right of appeal where there is conviction or sentence. It is incumbent upon the high court to fix the trial date. We direct that the files of the accused persons are placed before the principal judge of the High Court to ensure a speedy trial,” Court ruled.

The judges further ruled the appeal is incompetent on grounds raised by state prosecution that the suspects didn’t exhaust all possible avenues for bail.

Following court ruling, the suspects’ lawyers led by Samuel Muyizi vowed to petition the Constitutional Court for interpretation.

The two MPs and four others suspects who have been on remand for over six months are accused of terrorism contrary to section 7 (1) and (2) (d) and (d) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002 in count one, aiding and abetting terrorism contrary to section 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002 in count two, murder contrary to sections 188 and 189 of the Penal code Act in Counts three, four, five and attempted murder contrary to section 204 (a) of the Penal code Act.

Prosecution states that the two legislators together with other suspects -some on remand and others still at large on August, 2, 2021 allegedly killed Joseph Bwanika, a resident of Kisekka Village in Kisekka Sub County in Lwengo District.

It is further alleged that on August 23 at Ssettaala Village in Masaka City, the MPs and their co-accused persons killed Francis Mugerwa Kiiza aka Nswa, Sulaiman Kakooza and Tadeo Kiyimba .

The MPs are also accused of attempting to kill Ronald Ssebyoto, a resident of the same area. They are also accused of financing the killings in the Greater Masaka region.

Stories Continues after ad

The Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja has affirmed to the people of Kampala that the government is considering some special affirmative action for them under the Parish Development Model (PDM) strategy.

Speaking to residents of Rubaga Division, Nabbanja said the implementation of PDM in Kampala and other urban centers would require special attention because of the unique characteristics of these areas.

“Kampala is highly populated, parishes have so many households and people are complaining that the money may not be enough for each parish. We have discussed this in the cabinet and we will get you special affirmative action. You shouldn’t fear,” Nabbanja said.

The Prime Minister said this while in Rubaga division where she was part of the ministerial tours for the popularisation of PDM in Kampala City.

“Every household will be getting Shs1 million; not less, not more. That is the amount the president ordered, let no one confuse you,” Nabbanja said.

She advised Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to work with Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to ensure there is no duplication of beneficiaries.

“We don’t want to have scenarios where people in Kampala are receiving money twice. Someone might register in Bwaise then Kasubi and benefit from all. Everyone should register with their NIN, so that we can easily access them,” Nabbanja said.

She revealed that she would make sure Kampala gets a special online dashboard to make it easy to sieve double dealers.

“Kampala has a transient population; people are always shifting but I will ask for a different dashboard for Kampala to help monitor and keep track of people who are shifting so that they don’t benefit twice or miss out,” Nabbanja said.

KCCA started the ministerial sensitization tours on Tuesday in Central and Rubaga Divisions. On Wednesday, the team will be in the Makindye and Nakawa divisions. Thursday they will be in Kawempe and the grand finale on Saturday at City Hall.

The Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda and State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs Kabuye Kyofatogabye attended the event and gave insightful deliberations.

“The money is available but we want to first sensitise you on how best to utilize it for better returns. You remember the president used to give handouts to the people but there was no transformation. Money is now channeled through the PDM,” Babalanda said.

Kyofatogabye asked the people of Kampala to ensure their enterprises are legal, operating in gazzetted places and along the agricultural value chain.

Dorothy Kisaka the KCCA Executive Director challenged city dwellers to fully embrace PDM as a way to transform their lives and get out of poverty.

“PDM is just beginning; it is taking off; don’t stay on the side watching and say that you are not involved. This is a new government strategy and we are all learning. In Kampala, our 99 parishes are our 99 opportunities. Let us all board this moving truck called PDM,” Kisaka said.

She called on leaders to ensure the governance of PDM is working well.

Godfrey Kiwanda the NRM Vice Chairperson Central asked Politicians not to politicise the program. “This program is not for NRM alone but for every Ugandan,” Kiwanda said.

Kampala has 99 parishes that are set to benefit from PDM. The next financial year, the government has earmarked to fund each of the parishes with Sh100m, to capitalize the different enterprises, as a tool to move 39% of the population from subsistence to money economy.

Stories Continues after ad

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has intensified operations to deal with rampant noise pollution in the country. In the latest exercise that commenced on Friday June 24, 2022 six people were arrested and taken to court for prosecution on Tuesday June 28, 2022.

Two suspects Mukisa Edward and Ssebunje Herman were arrested for running, Nkumba Miracle Centre, that is notorious for noise pollution in spite of several warnings from NEMA to control the noise from their premises and continuous complaints from the community in Bendegere LC1, Katabi sub-county, Wakiso district.

The two have been charged with failure to undertake an environmental and social impact assessment; engaging in activities that result in or aggravate pollution; discharging & emitting pollutants into the environment; failure to implement regulatory measures, orders, notices and environmental easements as required by the National Environment Act No. 5 of 2019.

They have been remanded until July 12, 2022 when their bail application will be heard.

In a separate case, the proprietors of Hide Out Bar and Lounge in Kololo, Sisay Beruke, Tigsti Melkamu and Ssetumba Steven, have also been remanded for two weeks over noise pollution.

In another incident Yasin Abdallah was arrested for operating an illegal metal fabrication workshop, infamous for inconveniencing the community at Kazo-Lugoba Parish, Nansana Municipality; and failure to comply with a stop order. He pleaded guilty to the charges in court and was remanded until June 30, 2022 when the matter shall come up for hearing and bail application.

Pollution of the environment (noise or otherwise) is a criminal offence as stipulated in Section 163 of the National Environment Act, No.5 of 2019. A person who commits a pollution related offence is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand currency points or imprisonment not exceeding fifteen years, or both.

The law requires that establishments such as places of worship, recreational and production activities either submit project briefs or undertake environmental and social impact assessment to enable relevant authorities to guide their operations. This is in an effort to ensure that aspects of the environment, including noise, air and water pollution are not compromised.

NEMA urged the public to remain vigilant and report all cases of noise pollution. “We further urge local governments to only issue operational licenses to entities that have the structures, ability and technology to contain the sound emitted from their respective premises.”

Stories Continues after ad