Kampala — The government is yet to pay Shs7.8 billion for 12 acres of land at the centre of contestation from Buganda Kingdom. The government in 2006 paid Shs700 million to city businessman, Dr Mohammed Buwule Kasasa, as part payment for the government to acquire 'his' land.

The government has vast interests in the land because of its nature of being on top hill. The land in question is on top of Mutungo Hill. It is reported that government wants to use this land for security purposes.

The proprietor, Mr Busule who had early requested for Shs 2. 4 billion as payment for the land, which government agreed to and paid part of the money, is now demanding Shs 7.7 billion just two years after he agreed to the deal.

The government agreed to pay for the land in two installments and by July 2006, a total of Shs 700 million had been advanced to him as payment though the cheque was not given to him in person.

Dr Buwule also alleges that Mr Hussein Kashillingi and Mr Naboth Batahire lied to him by opening an account at Stanbic Bank without his knowledge and after which they took the bigger share of money. This very controversy has since landed Mr Kashillingi in prison and cost him his job as a legal aide to President Museveni.

The government set up a committee chaired by the Secretary of Uganda Land Commission to negotiate the sale of the land in 2003 with Dr Buwule. An agreement was reached where payment for the land was made in one lump sum within the period of two month.

A letter written in April 6, 2006 by the then Director General of Internal Security Organisation, Mr Angelofu Maku Iga, to Ms Armelia Kyambadde, Principal Private Secretary to the President, reminding her to ensure that the land State House was buying had land titles without encumbrances states: "Reference is made to your recent update on the above mentioned subject, in which you indicated that the Ministry of Finance is making arrangements to pay Mr Mohammed Buwule (kasasa) for several plots of land located on Mutungo Hill, for our security requirements and that you are coordinating this exercise."

"I wish to remind you that before any payments are made to Mr Buswule, he should first provide proof that he has land titles without any encumbrances. He should also surrender these titles to the government for verifications," he wrote.

Mr Maku-Iga's letter was copied to the Minister in charge of security and Secretary to the President. But on July 12 2006, Mr Hussein Kashillingi, the then Private legal aide to the President, wrote to Mr Maku-Iga on behalf of Ms Kyambadde informing him that the land in question had finally been acquired by because the Commissioner Land Registration had verified the titles and proofed that there were no encumbrances.

"I refer to your letter dated April 6 2008, on the above captioned subject. The position now is that, the land in Mutungo belongs to you. The land titles were handed over to the Secretary, Uganda Land Commission, in witness whereof I appended my signature" Mr Kashillingi stated.

"The Commissioner of Land Registration had already verified proof of titles and notified us that there were no encumbrances. He was paid Shs700m and the balance is to be paid this financial year. To this end, you should contact the Secretary Uganda Land Commission to avail you copies of these titles and you can take possession," Mr Kashillingi stated in his letter.

But Ms Dorothy Nalinya Nassolo, one of the residents staying on the land and who Sir Edward Muteesa gave a lease holder tenancy, and Prince David Wassajja, the brother to Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, have contested the sale of the land in court, stating that Dr Buwule was not the right owner as the land was among the estates of the late Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Muteesa father to Prince Wasajja and Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.

The duo through their lawyers Sebalu and Lule Advocates managed to secure a caveat and interim court order blocking the sale of the land until November 7, when the case will be heard. When contacted for a comment, Prince David Wasajja said: " I know there is a case going on in the courts of law and therefore I will comment when that matter has been disposed."