The State Minister for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja has ordered for the dismissal of Nakasongola Residence District Commissioner (RDC) Darius Nandinda for allegedly refusing to execute his orders to reinstate Bibanja holders.
Mayanja ordered the dismissal during his field visits in Nakasongola last week to resolve a land wrangle in which a rich man identified as John Kadooma had sought to displace hundreds of families living in eight villages seated on four square miles.
"I was recently here and I ordered the RDC to reinstate bibanja holders. He refused to follow my orders. I even called him asking why he has not done so. He told me that DPC asked for a court order. What are you still doing here as RDC if you are following DPC's orders and [not mine],” he said.
He explained that RDC being the representative of the president, he should have followed his order not that of the DPC because he [the minister] is doing what the president told him to do as one way to fight land grabbers in this country.
"I am shocked that you are still in the RDC of this area. Before you are fired, resign as soon as possible because people like you have tainted the image of the president. You don’t deserve to be RDC and you don’t deserve that position. You resign now so that the president can get another person better than you," said Mayanja.
He asked the locals to work as a team and ensure their safety since the RDC has failed to execute his duties of protecting them.
He threatened to arrest DPCs who are protecting the land grabbers, adding that issues of the people should be put at the forefront.
"He is no longer RDC. I will ask you to work with your MPs and give me a comprehensive report regarding land issues in this area. We shall work hard to address all these land issues," he said.
During his visit in the area, the minister met with many local leaders from the area and toured the affected villages. The locals accused RDC and DPC for conniving with wealthy people to grab people’s land.