Business

Buganda Kingdom minister cited in a land grabbing scandal

642 views0
By

Highlights

  • The land in contention is part of property sieved from the expelled Asians during President Idi Amin’s regime.
  • The Buganda Kingdom Minister claims it was allocated to him by State House.
  • Court ruled in 1991 that the land belongs to Firdoshali Madatali Keshwani Habib and Dolathanu Madatali Habib

KAMPALA OCTOBER 13, 2023: Africa House building,  a property situated on plot 42 Kampala Road, which is being claimed by Owek. Israel Mayengo, a former Minister in the Buganda government seems to have been grabbed from the Indians who were expelled from Uganda during the Amin regime.

Court documents seem by the Scribe shows that Mayengo could have obtained this prime property through yet to be verified means.

Owek. Mayengo is currently the director of MKM Corporation after serviving as Buganda kingdom’s miister without Portfolio.

Although Myengo claims that the property was allocated to him by  President Museveni through a presidential  directi

Israel Mayengo

A court case withdrawn by Mayengo regarding the property in contention

ve of 9th August 2023,  Firdoshali Madatali Keshwani Habib and Dolathanu Madatali Habib, clarifies that the property was seized from them in 1972 when then President Idi Amin expelled Asians from Uganda.

 

However, according to Firdoshali Madatali Keshwani Habib and Dolathanu Madatali Habib, the property was seized in 1972 when then President of Uganda Idi Amin expelled Asians from Uganda.

“When the current government came into power, the Custodian Board took over the property but they never registered the title of the Africa House. We came back to Uganda in 1990 and were ordered to follow the procedure of reclaiming our property from the Departed Asians’ Property Custodian Board,” Firdoshali said.

Firdoshali adds that they were forced to run to Court 1991 to seek justice after experiencing an unusual  delay in the process. “The Court ruled in our favor and the Custodian Board was ordered to return the property to us” He revealed.

In 1992, the then Executive Secretary of the Departed Asians’ Property Custodian Board, Mr. Alex Joseph Apecu issued a statement to the occupants of Africa House, confirming that the property had been returned to Firdoshali Madatali Keshwani Habib and Dolathanu Madatali Habib, the registered proprietor of the property.

Repossession letter of the land on plot 42 Kampala road that was returned to the asians

“Consequently, the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board is no longer your Landlord, and you are advised to negotiate a new tenancy arrangement with the registered proprietor,” Mr. Apecu said.

The owners further note that they have never received any communication from the Finance Ministry regarding the Presidential Directive and that they have been paying all taxes of the building to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

” In 2020-2021 we were recognised by the Uganda Revenue Authority (KCCA) as some of the best taxpayers that year. Even when Parliament was investigating the property under Custodian Board ours was never investigated because it is a private property,” they said.

In 2021, Owek. Mayengo under his company MKM Corporation ran to court over the issue but on 3 March, 2023, Justice Musa Ssekaana of the High Court dismissed the case with no costs.

What's your reaction?

Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0
Stephen Okhutu is a Ugandan Journalist since 2003 with a special bias in Business. He is a startup founder, a licensed investor and an ISO lead implementer Okhutu has dedicated himself to helping young business entrepreneurs build sustainable and profitable ventures. He has written a number of books including the best selling Cowards Don’t Think
Email: editor@scribe.co.ug
    Previous
    Next

    You may also like

    Comments are closed.

    More in:Business

    Business

    PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES EUROPEAN INVESTORS TO TAP INTO UGANDA’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES 

    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged European investors to take advantage of Uganda’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying investment in productive sectors is key to expanding markets, creating jobs and accelerating economic transformation.    The President made the remarks today at State House Entebbe during a meeting with European Union Ambassadors and investors, where he highlighted Africa’s growing population and expanding market as a major opportunity for European businesses seeking investment and stronger economic partnerships. “This is what we have been advising our European friends to look at, because Africa is a big potential market with its fast-growing population,” he said. President Museveni attributed political instability in some African countries partly to identity-based politics, including tribalism, religious divisions and ideological misunderstandings, as well as a failure to appreciate the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He said Uganda had learnt from these challenges and emphasised the need for a stable political and economic environment that enables private businesses to invest, expand production and create employment. The President welcomed ongoing and proposed European investments in Uganda, particularly in infrastructure and other productive sectors, saying such projects would strengthen economic links between Uganda and the European market. “All these projects are music to my ears. By constructing these projects here, you are linking the market of Uganda to that of Europe. Why can’t anyone see that?” he asked. On energy, President Museveni said the cost of electricity remained a critical factor in Uganda’s competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers seeking to produce goods at affordable prices. While welcoming private-sector investment in hydropower generation, he called for greater attention to electricity tariffs, arguing that affordable power was essential for industrial expansion and economic growth. He identified affordable electricity, railway transport and accessible financing for productive investments as key priorities for strengthening Uganda’s manufacturing sector. The President cited the Uganda Development Bank as an important source of financing for businesses engaged in productive activities, explaining that the government had retained the institution to support investments capable of expanding production and creating jobs. He also urged the European Investment Bank to channel more financing into strategic infrastructure, particularly railway development, electricity generation and distribution, and selected road projects. On road infrastructure, President Museveni encouraged European investors to explore opportunities in construction and financing models, including tolling arrangements where appropriate. The President also reaffirmed the government’s support for tax incentives aimed at attracting investment, particularly in manufacturing, and emphasised the importance of enabling eligible businesses to benefit from a 10-year tax holiday. ...
    By Moses Buule Kizito