Witnesses Contradict Before COSASE In Namuli’s Shs 2bn Land Probe

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Uganda news June 29, 2022

Legislators under the Public Accounts Committee – COSASE, are probing the controversial Shs 2.039 billion compensation to Natalia Namuli by the Uganda Land Commission (ULC).

On Tuesday, witnesses treated them to some revelations as they gave more contradictory information.

COSASE considers the 79-year-old Namuli one of the 6 ‘ghosts’ who sold to government their land in 2015 and they hurriedly paid them Shs 10.6 billion.

These compensation funds came from an unlawful supplementary budget that former Lands, Housing, and Urban Development minister Beti Kamya initiated.

Three witnesses, on Tuesday, gave different testimonies while appearing jointly before the MPs. These were Peter Amara, Namuli’s son-in-law, Kyle Lubega, and Richard Bizibira from Lubega & Buzibira Company Advocates, a Kampala-based law firm that acted on behalf of the claimant.

During an earlier appearance, Lubega revealed that Namuli in 2020 went to their chambers seeking legal help. Apparently, she wanted them to help push delayed compensation from government. However, his work partner Buzibira told the committee that they linked up with the client through Amara.

On top of learning that Buzibira first met the claimant on July 22, 2020, Amara shocked the MPs when he revealed he met Namuli on the same date.

He claimed to have picked her from the taxi park and took her to the law firm. This is where she presented her land title and gave lawyers the power of attorney.

But Lucy Akello, the Amuru district Woman MP who also doubles as the committee’s vice-chairperson tasked Amara to explain how it was possible for Namuli to travel to Kampala at the time.

COVID-19 had forced the country into total lockdown with all public transport suspended and all firms ordered to shutdown.

“Actually Mr Amara is lying to us and my reasons for saying this is as follows; One, on 22nd July 2020 he says Natalia Namuli came to Kampala in taxi [but] that was the time we had a total lockdown. Taxis were not allowed to move. What magic did you do that taxis were actually moving from Kagadi to come to Kampala?” said Akello.

The committee first put the witnesses on oath because of uncoordinated statements specifically Lubega and his partner Buzibira. They later on handed them over to the police at parliament for further questioning before their release.

Elijah Okupa, the Kasilo County MP requested an adjournment of the meeting. This is to allow them to devise new methods of cross-examining the witnesses.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the committee chairperson adjourned the meeting to a later date they will yet to communicate.

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