AG says Asian properties whose ownership was settled by court will not be re-allocated
The Attorney General, William Byaruhanga, has advised that all Asian properties whose ownership was duly settled by the courts cannot be allocated to other claimants.
The advice is contained in a legal opinion dated August 15, 2019.
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The advice follows a claim lodged by a Kampala businessman Hajj Abdul Kasai to take over possession of an Asian owned property on plot No.98-104, Nakivubo Road in Kampala.
Hajj Kasai, the proprietor of Kanaaba Agencies Limited, had identified the said plot and wanted it be allocated to him, following a meeting with President Museveni.
But Byaruhanga's guidance has changed all that.
“It is… my opinion that the property that has been repossessed under the Expropriated Properties Act by issuance of a repossession certificate by the minister is not subject to allocation or interference by DAPCB and the Minister of Finance,” Byaruhanga wrote.
The letter comes amidst an investigation by Parliament's COSASE over the illegal transfer of more than 400 Asian Properties under the Departed Asians Properties Custodian Board (DAPCB).
COSASE has grilled various officials over the properties.
Early this month, MPs quizzed the deputy Governor Bank of Uganda Dr Louis Kasekende over the disappearance of Shs800 million that was meant to be paid to the Departed Asians Properties Custodian Board (DAPCB) as compensation following the controversial closure of commercial banks.
MPs wanted to know from Kasekende why DAPCB has not yet received the money yet some shoddy companies and individuals were paid by the government.
