Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /usr/www/users/urnnet/a/story.php on line 43 MPs Seek Protection for 79-Year-Old Duped in UGX 2Bn Land Fraud :: Uganda Radionetwork
This follows Namuli’s statement denying receipt of such compensation from the government. She also refuted claims linking her as a legitimate granddaughter and the administrator of the Late Antwane Kalete to whom the compensation was paid in lieu.
Joel Ssenyonyi, the COSASE Chairperson displaying a forged document from purpotedly from the Masindi High Court bearing signature of Justice Ralph Ochan. Photo by Dominic Ochola
Lawmakers are
concerned about the safety of Natalia Namuli, the 79-year-old witness who was allegedly duped by her son in-law Peter Amara and a law firm, Lubega & Buzibira Company
Advocates as a bait to fleece the government of 2.039 billion Shillings in
a dubious land compensation.
This follows Namuli’s
statement denying receipt of such compensation from the government.
She also refuted claims linking her as a legitimate granddaughter and the administrator
of the Late Antwane Kalete to whom the compensation was paid in lieu.
Namuli, a resident of Nyakasozi village, Nsunga Sub-County in Kagadi district presented her statement through Assistant Inspector of Police Bunny Twesigye to the Committee of Parliament on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises – COSASE on Thursday.
The Committee is probing irregularities relating to the disbursement of 10.6 billion Shilling to six claimants in the areas of Bunyoro and Buganda who sold their land to the government through the Uganda Land Commission - ULC. The Commitee has since learnt that the letters of administration issued to
Namuli on March 18, 2015, bore the forged signature of then Masindi High Court Jude,
Ralph Ochan.
Joel Ssenyonyi,
the Committee Chairperson
said that the commitee findings and the ensuing testimonies leave Namuli in vulnerability to the cartel that used and duped her. He said the commitee is now making arrangements to ensure that she is
accorded protection.
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Kawempe
South MP, Kazibwe Bashir Mbaziira is equally concerned that Namuli's safety is now in jeopardy because her particulars have been exposed to the public.
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Moses Akena, a Legal Officer at Parliament expressed
reservations but observed a need for special arrangements to
ensure that she is protected because Uganda currently does not have any
legal framework for the same except under the Penal Code Act.
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The
Penal Code Act shields witnesses
to have a right to safety and security when testifying which is a fundamental
human right. The Act further provides an opportunity for the
State to perform its duty of care to ensure protection of its citizenry from
any harm or intimidation and to ensure rule of law.
The MPs say they will
involve the Directorate of Criminal Intelligence Investigations Department –
CIID headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala to handle the matter.
Ochola's journalism career begun from Radio King 90.2 FM in Gulu around 2009, and Radio Rupiny 95.7 Fm under Vision Group in 2012. He also reported for Mighty Fire 91.5 Fm, Kitgum in 2015 before joining Wizarts Foundation in 2017.
He has been reporting for Uganda Radio Network (URN) since 2017 before being posted as Bureau Chief Kitgum, and latr Gulu between 2018 - 2021. Currently, he reports from Parliament.
