Land Bill: Opposition mounts
Several ruling party lawmakers yesterday moved to defy odds and throw their weight behind the opposition’s crusade against the government’s land law reform proposals as contained in the Land (Amendment) Bill 2008.
Opposition against the contentious piece of legislation appeared to mount after MPs Peter Mutuluuza (NRM, Mawokota North), Erasmus Magulumaali (NRM, Kooki), Okot Ogong (NRM, Dokolo) and Sylvia Namabidde (NRM, Mubende Woman) among other ruling party MPs raised strong objection to the Bill’s passing by questioning the spirit behind the government’s push for its enactment.
The legislators, however, issued strict conditions, for which their support for the Bill can be obtained. Top of the demands is a clear position on Buganda-Central government relations and the outcome of talks between Kabaka Ronald Mutebi and President Museveni.
Mr Mutuluuza told fellow MPs that the decision to shelve the Bill for more than one year since its tabling in February 2008 was rooted in Buganda Kingdom’s strong objection to the Bill, and plans by the government to repair relations with the monarchy. “But even without any more consultations as far as I am concerned, we need more time,” he said. However, Government Chief Whip Daudi Migereko told the House that Mengo, the seat of Buganda Kingdom, had given “clearance” for MPs to debate the Bill freely. “The leader of government business received a confirmation from Mengo to the effect that the Katikkiro had no problem with us proceeding with the debate on the Bill so you should feel free to discuss it without inhibition of fear from any quarter,” he said.
Mr Mutuluuza accused key army officials and government bigwigs of masterminding illegal evictions and joined the chorus of MPs who have blamed the State for Uganda’s land ownership troubles. “For that reason I cannot support any law which will not be implemented. The Bill if passed into law will not work,” he said. Mr Magulumaali said he could not contribute to the Bill without knowing the current status of relations between the central government and Mengo.
Bibanja owners
He, however, advised that the government registers all bibanja owners to document the extent of evictions.
Mr Ogong suggested that the Bill be deferred until enough consultations have been made and said all the stakeholders in Lango sub-region had rejected any legislation on customary land ownership.
Ms Namabidde said the law shall not solve rampant evictions without government creating a Land Fund. In other surprises, Maracha MP Alex Onzima and Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM, Lwemiyaga), joined the list of those in support of the Bill. A Daily Monitor survey indicated that this week’s vote on whether the Bill should be passed into law will be a close call.
Opposition against the contentious piece of legislation appeared to mount after MPs Peter Mutuluuza (NRM, Mawokota North), Erasmus Magulumaali (NRM, Kooki), Okot Ogong (NRM, Dokolo) and Sylvia Namabidde (NRM, Mubende Woman) among other ruling party MPs raised strong objection to the Bill’s passing by questioning the spirit behind the government’s push for its enactment.
The legislators, however, issued strict conditions, for which their support for the Bill can be obtained. Top of the demands is a clear position on Buganda-Central government relations and the outcome of talks between Kabaka Ronald Mutebi and President Museveni.
Mr Mutuluuza told fellow MPs that the decision to shelve the Bill for more than one year since its tabling in February 2008 was rooted in Buganda Kingdom’s strong objection to the Bill, and plans by the government to repair relations with the monarchy. “But even without any more consultations as far as I am concerned, we need more time,” he said. However, Government Chief Whip Daudi Migereko told the House that Mengo, the seat of Buganda Kingdom, had given “clearance” for MPs to debate the Bill freely. “The leader of government business received a confirmation from Mengo to the effect that the Katikkiro had no problem with us proceeding with the debate on the Bill so you should feel free to discuss it without inhibition of fear from any quarter,” he said.
Mr Mutuluuza accused key army officials and government bigwigs of masterminding illegal evictions and joined the chorus of MPs who have blamed the State for Uganda’s land ownership troubles. “For that reason I cannot support any law which will not be implemented. The Bill if passed into law will not work,” he said. Mr Magulumaali said he could not contribute to the Bill without knowing the current status of relations between the central government and Mengo.
Bibanja owners
He, however, advised that the government registers all bibanja owners to document the extent of evictions.
Mr Ogong suggested that the Bill be deferred until enough consultations have been made and said all the stakeholders in Lango sub-region had rejected any legislation on customary land ownership.
Ms Namabidde said the law shall not solve rampant evictions without government creating a Land Fund. In other surprises, Maracha MP Alex Onzima and Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM, Lwemiyaga), joined the list of those in support of the Bill. A Daily Monitor survey indicated that this week’s vote on whether the Bill should be passed into law will be a close call.
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