Bigirimana explains that following the frustration, he wrote a letter to the secretary of Uganda Land commission Albert Mugumya indicating that he was the legal owner of the said land and wished to dispose it to the government, to enable squatters to acquire titles for the same.
Ministry of Gender Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana has been tasked to explain circumstances under which he received compensation for a chunk of land in Zirobwe.
Bigirimana reportedly requested for 504 million Shillings from the Land Fund in 2016 for 50.5 acres of land on Plot 5 Bulemeezi Block 103 that had been encroached on by squatters.
Under the Fund, the government has the mandate to support tenants seeking to own land. The government can also buy land for redistribution to bonafide occupants or resettlement of the landless.
Today, Bigirimana told the probe commission, that he bought the land in question from one Fenekansi Kalyesubula at 40 million Shillings in 2008. At the time, the land had six squatters with temporary structures. However, he adds, more people encroached on it triggering a disagreement between him and the community.
Bigirimana said that as a result of the disagreement, he became frustrated and never established his presence on the land. He was speaking during an interface with the Land Probe team headed by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire.
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Bigirimana explains that following the frustration, he wrote a letter to the secretary of Uganda Land commission Albert Mugumya indicating that he was the legal owner of the said land and wished to dispose it to the government, to enable squatters to acquire titles for the same.
In line with the request, lands Minister Betty Amongi wrote to the commission in 2016 authorizing the initial payment of 50 million Shillings by the Uganda Land Commission to Pius Bigirimana. He later received 150 million Shillings in 2017 for the same land.
But the commission's Lead Counsel Ebert Byenkya said that Bigirimana's documentation is covered in inconsistencies and that he did not qualify for compensation.
According to Byenkya, the first registration dated May 14, 2004, was in the names of Joseph Nsubuga, the administrator of the late Nsubuga and the second registration of Fenekansi Kalyesubula strangely captured for a previous date of May 13, 2004. Bigirimana's registration on the land title is April 19, 2008.
Bigirimana told the commission that he never paid attention to the dates, triggering questions on the intent of the purchase of the said land and a debate on how government officials are conniving to swindle resources set aside for the common man.
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The Land Probe also learnt that Bigirimana made direct requests to the Under Secretary of the Lands Ministry Albert Mugumya reminding him about his payment.
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Commissioner Rose Nakayi questioned why Bigirmana's payment was prioritised and how exceptions are applied to persons with key responsibilities at the expense of ordinary Ugandans.
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Commissioner Mary Oduka Ochan also had no kind words for PS Pius Bigirimana.
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Commissioner Robert Ssebunya advised Bigirimana to be good enough to refund the money so far advanced to him as compensation since he was not qualified under the Land Fund.
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Bigirimana pleaded that he never got to know that he did not qualify for the compensation but if the commission thinks he did not qualify, he is ready to follow their recommendation.
