Legal Aid Service Provider's Network

LASPNET HOLDS PRE- AGM CONFERENCE ON LAND JUSTICE AND ELECTS NEW BOARD AT ITS 7TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

02 November 2016 -

Written by Laspnet

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“During my short tenure in this Ministry, I have come to realize that land is the bedrock of our economy. The elite class prefers not to bank their money but to invest it in land, even proceeds from corruption end up invested in land and property”.

The above words formed part of the opening statement by Hon.Betty Amongi, the minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, who officially opened the LASPNET Pre-AGM Conference on Land Justice for the Poor and Vulnerable. The Conference was held on 28^th October 2016 at Hotel Africana prior to the Annual General Meeting held on same date at 2:00 pm.

In her speech ,the Minister highlighted the key principles on which the land policy is anchored such as; equitable access by all citizens; justice in access to land irrespective of gender, age ,sex or disability; effective regulation of land use and development; transparency and accountability. She underscored the importance of Area Land Committees, District Land Boards and Surveyors in ensuring transparency in land governance so that the poor and vulnerable are not let to suffer at the hands of the wealthy.

In agreement with earlier remarks by the Board Chairperson of LASPNET, Mr. Samuel Nsubuga, calling on the Minister to add her voice to have the NLAP and bill passed in order to have the poor, vulnerable and economically marginalized access justice, Hon.Amongi said that the NLAP was anchored in the core vision for the implementation of the land policy and therefore needed to be fast tracked.

On the prosed amendment of the law on land acquisition, Hon.Amongi explained that the focus was on amending Article 26 of the Constitution to add a third clause to anchor the principle that when government is interested in land for  development purposes or public good, with all compensation processes  explored but some people for whatever reason object to the value stated by the Chief Government Valuer, then government will deposit the amount that the person has rejected to the Courts of law, a receipt of acknowledgment given and justice takes its course, as government proceeds with infrastructural developments.

During the plenary, participants called on the Minister to become an ambassador and support the advocacy for the NLAP. They noted the complications surrounding land justice, even for lawyers, which make it hard for the indigent to navigate hence losing out when they do not have legal representation; noted access to land justice being at the core of property ownership and economic development and thus a basis for peace and security.

It was also noted that much as the issues surrounding land are historical, government needed to address the emerging matters to help communities whose land was being grabbed through fraudulent means. LASPs also requested to be involved in the amendment process to ensure that the interests of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized were not left out.

 The Minister agreed to the importance and need to advocate for the NLAP adding that it is a constitutional matter to which she undertakes to discuss with the Minister for Constitutional Affairs and the Attorney General regarding its fast tracking since she believed it has an implication on the land sector since securing land rights promotes peace and security. She also confirmed that illegal titles would be cancelled. “I need to deliver a public good which is why I seek the support of everyone present on how best to deliver it”, said the Minister before she declared the meeting opened.