A 94-year-old woman in Luwero District has been restored to her land after a dramatic intervention by the State Minister for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja. The Minister ordered the immediate eviction of a wealthy land buyer and his associates who had allegedly taken over the elderly woman's property, leaving her destitute. Lawrence Salt reports from the scene.
The scene was emotional in Bajjo Nanywa village, Luwero District, as Minister Sam Mayanja arrived to find Mzee Gertrude Namirimu, a 94-year-old woman, living in a state of utter destitution. She had been deprived of her rightful land, with no proper shelter and scarce food.
The Minister discovered that a wealthy man, Mr Ssewaya Emmanuel, had taken possession of her land, subdividing it into plots and even constructing houses on it, effectively pushing the elderly woman and her family to the margins of their own property.
- Minister and officials surveying the land.
- Shots of new houses constructed on the property.
- The elderly woman, Mzee Gertrude Namirimu.
Accompanied by the area Local Council Chairperson, Kizza Andrew, RDC Abel Bekunda, and Retired Brig Gen Rebecca Mpagi, Minister Mayanja conducted a boundary opening exercise. It was established that Mzee Gertrude’s family has a historical claim to the land, with their ownership tracing back nearly 200 years.
"I have ordered all those who built illegal structures on this land to vacate immediately. I have also directed the RDC to ensure that Mzee Gertrude is resettled on her property without delay."
During a community meeting, Minister Mayanja summoned Mr Ssewaya Emmanuel and questioned the legitimacy of his purchase. The Minister sharply criticised the transaction, pointing out the gross injustice of dispossessing an elderly woman.
Officials, including the RDC and Retired Brigadier General Mpagi, also condemned the actions of the granddaughter and grandson, Babyesiza Solomon, for their role in selling the family land.
"What the grandchild and granddaughter did in selling off their grandmother's land is unacceptable. Even Mr Ssewaya admitted he knew the process was not straightforward."
In a final directive, Minister Mayanja ordered that Mr Ssewaya must seek redress in court to recover his money from the grandson, Babyesiza Solomon, as his purchase has been rendered null and void.
