Parliament Rejects Phasing Out Custodian Board over 9000 Unrecovered Gov’t Properties

BY NATHAN NGOBI

Parliament of Uganda presided over by deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Tuesday afternoon finally rejected until further notice the proposed bill to close and phase off the Departed Asian properties Custodian Board (DAPCB), on account that Government would loose out over 9000 unrecovered properties yet for some, the board is in running court battles with fraudulent persons.

Wounding up Custodian board bill was brought and read by the deputy Attorney General Hon Jackson Kafuuzi  on the order paper as item number (4) for first reading, proceeding and debate.

However, Kafuuzi’s proposed bill on DAPCB got a stiff resistance and was rejected before he could occupy his seat.

Kafuuzi  was first squeezed on the wall by Medard  Lubega Ssegona  over presenting a half backed constitutional amendment bill which had only 4 points that parliament would consider in the future to amend  ,  yet the minister for constitutional affairs Nobert Mao had expressed that he had prepared  a comprehensive report bearing  over 40  items for constitutional and election reforms.

Lubega Ssegona tasked the deputy attorney general Jackson   Kafuuzi  to go back and get a comprehensive constitutional reform to present to parliament.

With the guidance of the deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa  Kafuuzi was tasked to explain if the executive had decided to have constitutional reforms in phases like rationalisation first them  then others laiter?

In his response Jackson Kafuuzi  said that the bill presented is for handling the aspect under rationalisation, that is the first segment that they are dealing with as executive, and going forward we shall present a constitutional review commission which will handle the rest of the aspects for review of the constitution . Kafuuzi pointed out.

This prompted the deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa to allow the reading of the bill to close the operation of the Departed Asian Properties Custodian Board (DAPCB)

Workers MP Abdul Byakatonda took to the floor and read several cases mainly those where Mohammed Alibhai reportedly grabbed over 1000 properties in a fraudulent manner.

“Under rule 73 of the parliamentary rule of procedure, it is prejudice to discuss matters which are in courts of law, DAPCB is battling several members of the public who fraudulently took Government properties and by closing the agency it would mean changing the law where the fraud stars including Mohammed Alibhai could take advantage to enjoy the 1000 Government properties that he claims” Byakatonda told parliament.

He said that   Alibhai came as a house boy of Gandecha who used to work with the late Moses Kintu in a law firm, but Gandecha later crossed to Kenya and grabbing Custodian properties and now Alibhai claim ownership.

Byakatonda quoted some cases of the property on plot 4 old Kampala Road, it is also alleged that he grabbed plot 4 and 5 Rubaga place, plot 6 Hoima Road and many others.

Byakatonda was supported by Ndorwa county MP   Wilfred Nuwagaba of Ndorwa East County (the opposition Attorney General) who revealed to parliament that several jubilations of members of the fraudulent public are waiting should there be a closure of the custodian board then they would take free Government properties.

He said that those battling in court, such cases are going to dies natural death, no law while the accused and complainants each one will walk away with what the closure could have given to them as a result of the status quo.

He said that the small desk under the ministry of finance will have less powers to recover any property after change of the law on custodian board.

Medard Lubega Ssegona (Busiro East )  told parliament that matters of DAPCB were brought long ago and they asked the state minister for Finance Musasizi to present an audit report of properties that were delt with and those remaining but up to now nothing was given.

According to Ssegona, closing such an entity will cause  a big loss to Government because nothing is known and no follow up would be made.

While opposition parliamentary commissioner Mathias Mpuga  (Nyendo Mukungwe Division) on the same matter disclosed that there are over 9000 properties belonging to Government which are un claimed for and people are going to take them for free.

He said that for a long time, they have been asking for an accountability on custodian board before the matters would be discussed or close it but on such ground that no accountability there is no need to phase off such entity.

At that point deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa announced that parliament should leave the matter until further notice and custodian board survives the on-going rationalisation of Government agencies.

However, Kafuuzi stood and told parliament that he would go back and consult about the  issue.

In February 2024 the prime minister Robina Nabanja   proposed Bills to parliament to have the Rationalization of Government Agencies (Education Sector) (Amendments) Bill, 2024 and the Rationalization of Government Agencies (Internal Affairs Sector) (Amendments) Bill, 2024.

Also, the Rationalization of Government Agencies (Natural Resources and Environment Sector) (Amendments) Bill, 2024 as well as the Rationalization of Government Agencies (Works and Transport Sector) (Amendments) Bill, 2024. The other affected under ministry of Finance and Economic monitoring is the Departed Asian property custodian Board (DAPCB) which has finally survived the whip.