State Minister for East African Community Affairs, James Magode Ikuya, is facing serious allegations regarding a land dispute in Mbale City, where he is accused of double-selling land and leaving buyers embroiled in lengthy court battles.
The case centers on Sunday Wobujje Gomei, an informal trader in Mbale, who bought a prime plot of land in December 2005 for Shs 14 million from then-Resident District Commissioner James Magode Ikuya. Wobujje planned to establish a business to move his operations away from Moroto, citing security concerns.
By June 2006, Wobujje had successfully transferred the title to his name, securing what he believed would be his future.
However, Wobujje's dream soon turned into a nightmare.
He later discovered that Magode had allegedly sold the same land to another buyer, Magidu Waniale, a moneylender, for Shs 12 million just a week after his deal with Wobujje.
Waniale took Magode to court, seeking to enforce their agreement and cancel Wobujje's title.
The case was initially handled by the Mbale District Land Tribunal, but the tribunal's jurisdiction shifted in December 2006 when Land Tribunals were phased out, with authority now resting with Magistrates' Courts.
Magode denied selling the land to Waniale, arguing that he was misled by an agent who claimed Wobujje had abandoned interest in the plot and intended to resell it.
However, Wobujje was left helpless as legal proceedings continued, and Magode failed to attend hearings, leaving him to fend for himself in the ongoing battle.
In 2006, the tribunal ruled in favor of Waniale, and in 2020, the High Court upheld the decision.
Judge Godfrey Namundi issued an order directing the cancellation of Wobujje's title and its transfer to Waniale.
Despite repeated efforts by Wobujje to recover his money, Magode remained elusive, leaving him to watch as Waniale constructed a commercial building on the land.
Wobujje, disheartened and drained from years of legal battles, was not only stripped of his land but also faced a Shs 30 million court award in favor of Waniale.
His financial resources depleted, and his dreams shattered, Wobujje now seeks assistance, appealing to well-wishers for help to find justice.
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In an interview with Nile Post, Magode acknowledged transferring the land to Wobujje but denied any wrongdoing, dismissing allegations of misconduct.
He also refused to address claims that he had failed to appear in court, allowing the court's decisions to be made in his absence.
"That is nonsense, and I don't even want to hear that," Magode said in response.
However, this case is not an isolated incident. Magode has been cited in other land-related disputes within Mbale City, with residents accusing him of similar actions reselling plots or retracting from agreements after receiving full payments, which led to lengthy legal conflicts and loss of property for the victims.
The Mbale Land Tribunal's proceedings have been criticized for allegedly sidelining Wobujje, who feels betrayed by his legal team, believing they conspired with Magode and Waniale.
Despite guidance from Principal Judge Flavian Zeija in June 2024, no further action has been taken on the case, leaving Wobujje in limbo.
As this case unfolds, Wobujje continues to search for a way to reclaim his lost land and seek justice for the years of hardship caused by these complex and ongoing legal battles.
