By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: The Parliamentary committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) chaired by Hon. Ibrahim Kasozi of Makindye West (FDC) on 14 August 2019 summoned the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and city businessman, Amos Nzeyi to respond queries on how they acquired and sold departed Asians Properties.
Nzeyi is alleged to have fraudulently acquired and sold 366.2 acres to NSSF on Temangalo Land which is said to have belonged to Asians who left the country in the early 70’s on orders of President Iddi Amin.
It was reported that the accused Nzeyi sold land in Temangalo to NSSF at shs11 billion in 2008, a transaction that became controversial and attracted a probe by Parliament. This came on board On 10 August 2018, when a Canadian-Asian family petitioned the Land Commission of Inquiry claiming ownership of the said land.
Mr. Nazim Moosa appearing before the committee testified that his father, Mohammed Hassnali Moosa who passed on in 1997 was the rightful owner of Temangalo Tea Estate Limited.
Moosa presented evidence of a 79 year lease and requested
COSASE to intervene so that his family gets justice and requested for compensation
if there is any loss incurred.
“Our family obtained the land in 1924 before we were expelled by President Idi
Amin Dada in 1972. It was fraudulently transferred to Nzeeyi under
unclear circumstances that need to be sorted out,” said Moosa
He also told Committee members that his family is ready to
negotiate a settlement saying taking the case to court would drag it adding
that it has already taken long.
“We have been in this for 26 years; if we drag this to courts, we are already
old and might not benefit much,” said Moosa.
The Chairperson COSASE, Hon. Ibrahim Kasozi said that the concerned parties including NSSF, Nzeeyi, former Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma and former Lands Registrar, Sarah Kulata, will appear before the committee next week.
COSASE is investigating reports of fraudulent acquisition of properties of the Asians who were expelled during Idi Amin’s regime.
The properties have been under the management of the Departed Asians’ Property Custodian Board, a government body, since 1983.
