BY JOACKIM KULE
Residents of Katadoba Cell in the Central Division of Kasese Municipality have resorted to carrying out an independent survey aimed at opening the boundaries of the land that is being claimed by Kilembe Mines Limited.
Recently, High Court ruled that some residents in Katadoba and Kyaminyoku– Kihalimu cells are living on land that lawfully belongs to Kilembe Mines Limited, a reason why an independent survey was carried out today to ascertain the number of households that are living in the leased land.
The ongoing exercise follows an advice by the Resident District Commissioner who on Sunday met the residents and told them to look for an independent surveyor who would help them compile a report to be submitted to government for negotiations.
After surveying the land in question, another activity of identifying the number of people affected and value of property in terms of shillings would follow before a report is officially handed to government.
Mr. James Baluku, the Kasese District Senior Lands Officer, explained that the exercise of surveying was meant at establishing whether what is on ground corresponds with the records of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Mr. Francis Mugisa Kithulha, the Kasese District Staff Surveyor, revealed that the boundary opening exercise was not meant to evict the people but to have a report to present to government for further negotiations.
He noted that the government has the mandate to sympathize with the community using the element of equity, a reason he advises the people not to panic.
Kithulha, however, observed need for the residents to embrace the idea of leasing their pieces of land in a bid to secure them from land grabbers.
Mr. Wilfred Baluku, the Kasese Municipal Senior Physical Planner, urged the community members to follow the right procedures that would help them to be retained on the same land by government.
Subsequently, the Local Council I Chairpersons of the affected areas including Wilson Kiiza for Katadoba Cell, Hamada Njiima for Kyaminyoku -Kihalimu and Mr. Isaac Kalyabyuma, the Nyakabingo II Ward Chairperson called on the community members to cooperate with the Surveyors as they carry on the three – day boundary opening exercise.
ENDS