By Solomon Hamala
IGANGA
Two prominent tycoons in Iganga Municipality have been arrested on allegations of encroaching on government land and forgery.
The two and their two other accomplices courted the wrath of the Minister for lands, Judith Nabakooba on Tuesday, 13th February, 2024 who ordered for their arrest.
The two prominent tycoons are; Hamdan Nkoobe and Ali Baaga while their accomplices are Swaaga the LC one chairman Nakalama C village and Deo Wakabi the former sub county chief Nakalama.
Nabakooba also ordered for cancelation of four land titles that had been acquired illegally on land belonging to Nakalama sub county Iganga district.
Nkoobe and Baaga and two others still on the run encroached on 50 acres of land belonging to Nakalama Sub County and later illegally acquired land titles claiming to be genuine owners.
Nakalama Sub County early last year sued Nkoobe and three others on charges of criminal trespass, encroachment and high court in Iganga ruled in favor of Nakalama Sub County halting any development on the contested land.
During a heated meeting held at Nakalama sub county headquarters on Tuesday, Nabakooba instructed police to arrest the four for alleged encroachment on 50 acres of land belonging to Nakalama sub county besides constructing a commercial building.
A group of youths who had earlier tried to block the arrest of Hamdan Nkoobe were dispersed by the heavily armed police led by the district police commander Iganga, Patrick Mwesigye.
Nabakooba said she has on several occasions received numerous complaints from members of the public about rampant cases of encroachment on government land and now is the time to take action.
“I have been busy with numerous engagements elsewhere but now is the time I should pitch camp here and get the real facts,” she said.
She promised to take action against anyone found guilty of encroaching on government land.
“Am not going to spare anyone found guilty of stealing government land whether you are a top official in this land,” she said.
A public Baraza is to be held on 11th March this year to hear views from members of the public about numerous complaints of encroachment on government land.
Swaaga and Wakabi were arrested for signing documents that allowed Nkoobe to encroach on government land.
Nkoobe and Baaga upon encroaching on government land later forged documents that enabled them acquire land titles.
However Nkoobe claims that the land where the sub county sits belongs to his late grandfather Madondo Kyairala and stretches from Bukyaye village five kilometers away to Nakalama sub county headquarters.
“Some of the land was given away by my late grandfather to some of his friends for development and as a family we felt that was not bad,” he said.
Nkoobe said he suspects some people who are opposed to him are behind the action to have him arrested in order to defame him.
The four were later whisked away amidst tight security to Iganga central police station.
By press time (yesterday) the four were still being held at Iganga central police station recording statements.
The Resident District Commissioner Iganga, Sadala Wandera said he has severally received complaints about theft and encroachment of government land but lacked personnel to take action.
