In his ruling Justice Ajiji, states that the properties including guns, writing materials, furniture, vehicles and land that belonged to and were used by the Local Administration Police are now properties of the Uganda police in accordance with sections 67(1) A and C of the police Amendment Act 2006.
The contested land in Erute adjacent to the new Akii- Bua stadium in Lira City East Division belongs to the Uganda Police Force-UPF, the Lira High court had ruled. The ruling by Justice Alex Mackay Ajiji on Wednesday stems from a public interest civil suit filed by Stephen Alele, Isaac Omara, and Anthony Odur against Lira District Local Government and Lira District Land Board in 2018.
In their application, the trio asked the High court to declare that the land, which belonged to the Local Administration Police before its integration into the Uganda Police Force belongs to the force and shouldn't be disposed of.
Over the years, Lira District Local Government and Uganda Police have been embroiled in wrangles over the ownership of this land and others such as land comprised of staff quarters at Ireda Housing Estates, administrative units, and residential premises at Ojwina in Lira City West Division.
In his ruling Justice Ajiji, states that the properties including guns, writing materials, furniture, vehicles and land that belonged to and were used by the Local Administration Police are now properties of the Uganda police in accordance with sections 67(1) A and C of the police Amendment Act 2006.
He argued that Lira Local Government and District Land Board interfered with the applicant’s rights of property or threatened their constitutional right to property guaranteed under Article 26 of the Constitution.
“The respondents are by law in breach of holding and interfering with the use of property that belongs to the Uganda Police that fell in the ambit of Uganda Police upon integration of the Local Administration Police to Uganda Police," the ruling reads in part.
He ruled that any sale or alienation of the said land is illegal and prejudicial to the Uganda Police Force and went on to issue a permanent injunction restraining the respondents from alienating and or allocating the said land to 3rd parties or potential developers.
In July 2018, Lira District Local Government notified the public of the availability of plots (both commercial and residential) at Erute adjacent to the new Akii Bua stadium for development and invited the public to apply for allocation of the said plots.
