Uganda's Museveni 'educates' citizens on controversial land laws via radio

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has launched a nationwide radio campaign to educate citizens on the country’s new Land Amendment Bill which has gained widespread condemnation from the public.

Museveni started the education campaign on Monday in the western Ugandan city of Kabale where he was hosted on the Voice of Kigezi radio.

I have arrived in Kabale for a radio show on Voice of Kigezi, to explain the land question. pic.twitter.com/wJ1sQVymUD

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) September 4, 2017

He cited corruption as one of the major problems affecting the acquisition of lands, and blamed some civil servants of colluding with citizens to engage government in legal battles that delay development projects.

“The challenge that the government has is land owners who reject government compensation and run to court thereby making government projects stall. I even wonder what these liars mean by ‘government grabbing people’s land.

“Ugandans must know these liars as their enemies and enemies of Uganda because they are against the development of the country,” Museveni said.

He called on Ugandans to support development projects by rejecting “saboteurs” who frustrate investors who want to develop the country.

Museveni was at the radio station with Land Minister Betty Amongi and Attorney General, William Byaruhanga.

The campaign launched by the president aims to explain the amended Article 26 of the Constitution tabled before parliament.

The amendment stipulates that private property can be possessed by the state in the interest of development, and compensation will be given to the owners regardless of dispute over the property.

The law states that property owners who dispute government’s possession of their lands can seek redress at the courts.