Bbaale County Member of Parliament Hon. Charles Tebandeke has welcomed the new administrative guidelines issued by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, describing them as a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal land evictions, land grabbing, abuse of office and corruption.
The legislator, who has consistently positioned himself as a defender of bibanja holders and vulnerable land occupants in Bbaale and Kayunga District, says the new directives will strengthen the protection of citizens against unlawful evictions allegedly facilitated by some public officials.
Hon. Tebandeke revealed that his office has received numerous complaints from bibanja holders accusing some Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Police Commanders (DPCs) and other authorities of using their offices to influence illegal evictions and unfair land transactions.
He said the new guidelines issued by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, are timely and will help dismantle syndicates of corruption that have denied many Ugandans their constitutional right to secure land tenure.
According to Hon. Tebandeke, the guidelines will promote transparency, accountability and fairness in land administration while protecting lawful and bona fide occupants from arbitrary eviction.
The newly issued circular reminds all RDCs and City Commissioners that no eviction should take place without a valid court order and the involvement of the District Security Committee in consultation with the Ministry of Lands, in line with the 2022 Presidential Directive.
Among the key measures introduced are:
* Every court-sanctioned eviction must be backed by a valid court order clearly identifying the land and parties involved.
* A mandatory eviction notice of between 90 and 120 days must be issued before any eviction.
* Evictions must only be conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and not on weekends or public holidays.
* Police and local authorities must be present during lawful evictions.
* Land subdivisions and transfers involving occupied land will require statutory declarations, updated orthophotos and verification that sitting tenants were given the first opportunity to purchase the land.
* Beneficiaries, executors and administrators of estates are required to respect the rights of sitting tenants and seek mediation where disputes arise.
* Private security companies have been warned against deploying guards on disputed land.
Hon. Tebandeke believes these measures will significantly reduce illegal evictions, fraudulent land transactions and abuse of public office that have affected many families across the country.
Despite facing intimidation and threats because of his campaign against land grabbing, the legislator reaffirmed his commitment to defending bibanja holders and ensuring justice prevails.
He said the new government guidelines have strengthened his resolve to continue exposing individuals involved in illegal land grabbing and pledged to intensify efforts until the practice is completely eliminated from Bbaale and the wider Kayunga District.
