Kadaga decries public land theft, vows tougher action

Mbarara.

The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has decried what she called “public land grabbing bonanza” in the country.

Officiating at the opening of a Shs2.2 billion Auditor General’s (AG)office block in Kamukuzi, Mbarara District, on Monday, Ms Kadaga expressed worry that soon there will be no more public land left in the country.

The Speaker’s remarks came after the district secretary for social services, Mr Didas Tabaro, who represented the LC5 chairperson, said grabbing of government land has become rampant even in lower local governments.

“Madam Speaker, the grabbing of land by the so called investors is leaving no public land even at the lower local governments. I appeal to your Parliament to come out with strong laws and policies to guard against this,” Mr Tabaro said.
In response, Ms Kadaga said she was surprised that the district can talk about owning public land.

“I am very impressed by the leadership in Mbarara, even in municipality, to see that there is still public land. Public land has become the first target of theft in this country. But as Parliament, we are going to come out strong on this, including requiring all public land to get titles,” she said.

Ms Kadaga added that the AG’s regional offices will strengthen the district in executing their oversight role of public finance management.
The AG, Mr John Muwanga, hailed government for supporting infrastructural development, saying it will facilitate them to have timely and quality financial reports.

challenges
Ms Kadaga noted that the Auditor General still has enormous challenges in ensuring public accountability and efficient use of public resources, saying scandals of misuse of public funds continue to crop up.

The Speaker cited the recently constructed Shs34b Mbale Central Market which she said was recently handed over but its walls are cracking. “I want this to be investigated, we cannot tolerate such scandals anymore”.