The Commission of inquiry into land matters was led by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire
MPs on Parliament’s Budget Committee have rejected a Shs11.423bn budget request from Office of the President to meet the outstanding Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Withholding Tax (WHT) for the Commission of inquiry into Land matters.
The recommendation to Parliament was made by Patrick Isiagi, Chairperson Budget Committee after observing that Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Withholding Tax (WHT) for the Commission of Inquiry into Land matters should have been deducted at source during payment of salaries and services.
“As such, there is no justification for additional funding. The Committee therefore, declines approval of Shs11.423Bn to meet the outstanding PAYE and Withholding Tax (WHT),” Isiagi said.
It should be recalled that President Museveni appointed a seven member commission in December 2016 to inquire into the effectiveness of law, policies and processes of land acquisition, land administration, land management and land registration in Uganda.
The Commission was led by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire. Other members on the Committee included Robert Ssebunya, Mary Oduka Ochan, Joyce Gunze Habaasa, Dr. Rose Nakayi, Fred Ruhindi, and George Bagonza Tinkamanyire.
The other members on the team include Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya who was the Commission’s Secretary, assisted by His Worship, Dr.Douglas Singiza, while Ebert Byenkya was Lead Counsel and was assisted by John Bosco Rujagaata Suuza.
When the Commission handed over its report to the President, it had handled complaints totaling to 8528 from 123 districts out of 135 between 2017 and 2019, although the Commission at the time of inception was given 6months, but its tenure kept on being extended. .
The Budget Committee also declined to approve Shs17.8bn for the data center to avoid duplication as NITA-U has already established a data centre for Government entities. Parliament is set to take a final decision on this matter next week.
