Ssekandi committee wants compulsory land acquisition Bill withdrawn
Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
- The Committee headed by Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, was appointed last year by Lands minister, Betty Amongi, to advise the party on how to proceed with the Bill.
- The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017 intended to amend article 26 of the 1995 Constitution to facilitate faster Land Acquisition for Public infrastructure.
- the committee has reportedly suggested that the High Court decision should be the final stages of appealing into the matter.
- It is not yet clear as to when the proposal will be presented to cabinet for consideration and whether the cabinet will endorse the new proposals.
The ruling NRM caucus subcommittee has advised that the controversial constitution amendment Bill on compulsory acquisition of land by government should be withdrawn from Parliament.
The Committee headed by Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, was appointed last year by Lands minister, Betty Amongi, to advise the party on how to proceed with the Bill.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017 intended to amend article 26 of the 1995 Constitution to facilitate faster Land Acquisition for Public infrastructure.
But the committee has reportedly advised cabinet against proceeding with the planned constitutional amendment, saying that the existing legal framework is adequate to address issues regarding the delay in the implementation of the government projects.
The Amendment, which has since received scathing criticism from members of the public, proposed to insert a clause to provide for the government or local government to take possession of property of an owner pending determination by the Court of any dispute relating to compensation.
The amendment also suggested that the government or local government would deposit with court for the property owner the compensation awarded, pending the court's determination of the matters.
There is also suggestion to have a valuation Bill drafted to include a certain percentage of interest to be paid to the property owner in case of delayed compensation.
However, the committee has reportedly suggested that the High Court decision should be the final stages of appealing into the matter.
It is not yet clear as to when the proposal will be presented to cabinet for consideration and whether the cabinet will endorse the new proposals.
The proposals come hot on the hills of the ongoing commission of inquiry into Land Matters headed by Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire.
The commission, has among others, been inquiring into the effectiveness of land acquisition, land management and land administration in Uganda.
