Junior lands minister Dr Sam Mayanja narrowly survived being killed by angry locals as he intervened in a land wrangle.
Since his appointment in 2021, Mayanja, the fearless minister and seasoned lawyer, has made it a habit to traverse the country and intervene in land wrangles, quoting land laws, issuing directives and castigating local security commanders and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) for conniving with land grabbers or doing little or nothing to protecting helpless and poor citizens from being tormented by wealthy and well connected grabbers thirsty for land.
On May 25, 2023, Minister Mayanja intervened in the wrangle involving about 200 families and an Indian investor. Both parties convened Kazinga UMEA in Nakifuma, Mukono District to meet the minister for a resolution of the matter.
During the meeting, Ismael Mohamed, the Indian investor, was represented by his lawyer Richard Kiboijana. He accused the locals of encroaching on the land he says he acquired when there were no people and developments.
The 50 acres of land are said to belong to Buganda Kingdom but Mengo nor its Buganda Land Board (BLB) was represented.
At least 200 bibanja owners led by Joseph Ssetimba accused Ismael of forging the land title for the chunk and of using UPDF to protect it and harass them.
Mayanja decided that the people should leave the land on which the school sits as well as the piece belonging to the investor.
The locals opposed the ruling, urging Mayanja to first inspect the land before making any decision. They shouted at the minister and accused him of siding with the Indian investor and of promoting injustices against Ugandan nationals.
It was the area Resident District Commissioner (RDC) that calmed the angry locals as the minister moved from Kazinga UMEA School to the land in question which of as even guarded by soldiers.
With assurances that the RDC will investigate the land wrangle. In the meantime, the minister reversed his decision and allowed locals to stay on the land and keep using it.
This is not the first time Minister Sam Mayanja survived being beaten up. Months ago a local nearly punched him as he tried to sort out a land wrangle. Minister Sam Mayanja was also on record as saying that a typist tempted with with a Shs40m bribe. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
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