Senior Reporter
The Kabale District Council is currently probing the circumstances surrounding how Tobias Habasa, the Information Communications Technology (ICT) officer for the district, allegedly obtained a land title for the plot in Bugongi, Northern Division of Kabale Municipality, where the fisheries offices were previously situated.
The contested plot, consisting of plots 36 and 37 along with the associated house, has been a subject of dispute for some time. Richard Mporera, the chairperson of the finance, planning, administration, and works standing committee for Kabale District, emphasizes the importance of investigating how Habasa, who initially leased the house and paid rent to the District, managed to acquire ownership of the plots and the house, which could have served as a source of revenue for the District.
Flavia Nyinakiiza Kanagizi, the Kabale District Speaker, has instructed Fred Kalyesubula, the Chief Administrative Officer, to consult with the Inspectorate of Government, where the matter was previously reported, for ongoing investigations and to provide an update to the council during their next meeting.
According to Jennifer Twebaze, the Kabale District Fisheries officer, the house on the disputed plots was initially occupied by two district officers, including Habasa, after the Fisheries office was relocated to the District Headquarters. However, she is unaware of how Habasa later obtained legitimate ownership of the plots and the house.
In response, Kalyesubula stated that neither the house nor the plots were part of the district’s property when he assumed office in 2021. He expressed his intention to reach out to the Inspectorate of Government, given that the matter had already been reported for investigation, and promised to provide a report to the council in their upcoming session.
When questioned about the matter, Habasa stated that he obtained a lease title from the Uganda Lands Commission to commence development on the plots. However, he did not address how the house became part of the lease title.
