The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Keith Muhakanizi, has directed that any person who is found not acting in compliance with the law in connection with the allocation of properties belonging to departed Asians be held liable.
In a May 23 letter to the Executive Secretary of the Departed Asian Property Custodian Board (DAPCB), Muhakanizi said the custodian board cannot cancel a repossession certificate without a court order once issued.
The letter follows a meeting between Finance minister Matia Kasaija, DAPCB Executive Secretary, George Bizibu and Muhakanizi in regard to the management of departed Asian properties.
“…where a repossession certificate for properties under the DAPCB had been issued, only the relevant courts of law had the authority to cancel such certificates in accordance with the law. It was agreed that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the board must continue to respect the rule of law. Therefore, any orders of court must be complied with,” Muhakanizi’s letter reads in part.
Members on DAPCB including Bizibu, Kasaija and Lands Minister Betty Amongi have been quizzed by the commission of inquiry into land matters in regard to the fraudulent allocation of departed Asians properties.
The Commission is Chaired by Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire.
Kasaija, who is also the MP of Buyanja Constituency in Kibaale District, was tasked to explain the circumstances under which various prime properties in the custody of the DAPCB were allocated to individuals and companies including M/s Amobet Investments Limited that is owned by Ms Amongi.
It is reported that on December 14, 2017, Bizibu allocated three prime properties, including Plot 29 on Acacia Avenue, Plot 15/17 Industrial Area and Plot 12A Prince Charles Drive in Kololo to M/s Amobet Investments.
Appearing before the land probe committee last week, Kasaija was tasked to explain where Bizibu derived the mandate to allocate properties which were already repossessed, denial of Ugandan citizens a right to participate in acquisition by opting to dispose of unclaimed property by private treaty and alleged illegal recruitment
Kasaija, who is the chairman of DAPCB, testified that he could not remember ever chairing a custodian board meeting which decided on the allocation of property to Amobet Investments. He testified that the decision by Bizibu was done solely in his capacity as the chief executive of the board.
