Businessman, Kavuya, appears before land probe, again

Ben Kavuya, a prominent Kampala businessman, yesterday appeared before the commission of inquiry into land matters for the second time this year to respond to accusations that he fraudulently acquired land in Bugolobi and Bweyogerere, leaving some people homeless.

The accusation was made by George David Wakanyira who told the probe that Kavuya fraudulently acquired his land in Bweyogerere and Kataza in Bugolobi leaving him homeless.

Kavuya denied the allegations and said Wakanyira was a liar.

The land in question is located at Kataza plot 17 in Bugolobi and Bweyogerere on block 236 plot 2062 in Wellspring zone, Wakiso.

It is alleged that Wakanyira secured a loan from Kavuya to pay off his debt with Housing Finance Bank, however, Kavuya instead sold off his land after making him sign transfer documents and handing him powers of attorney which he (Kavuya) based on to sell off his land leaving him homeless.

“My family has suffered because of one man Kavuya," Wakanyira told the probe on March 25.

This prompted the commission of land inquiry to summon Kavuya to respond to the accusations.

Before the commission, Kavuya acknowledged that he knew Wakanyira, but denied the allegations that he had fraudulently sold off his land.

“I know Wakanyira. He approached me in January 2007, and asked me to help him to pay for the land after he had taken a loan from Housing finance bank," Kavuya said.

Asked whether he lent Wakanyira money in exchange for interest in the said plots of land, Kavuya said: "Wakanyira wrote letter to the bank concerning the mortgage and informing it that I am the new proprietor.” I paid Shs 158 million for the loan and gave him Shs 113 million as the balance."

Wakanyira told the commission that he had lost all he had worked for because of Kavuya.

“I will never forget the date of 15th April 2007 because it is the day when I began facing all these challenges in my life after entering an agreement with Kavuya," he said.

Kavuya was appearing for the second time before the commission having appeared early this year to defend himself over allegations that he fraudulently acquired land belonging to the late Fenecantine Kityo found in Kulambiro, Nakawa division. He acquired the land in 2003.

Yesterday the commissioners asked Kavuya to show them documents peratining to this transaction such as the sale agreement.

His reply:  "It is quite a long time, about sixteen year back so I could not get them in the little time given to me.”