Prince David Wasajja has opened up about the contested one square mile of land in Mutungo, Kampala, which is contested by beneficiaries of the estate of former Buganda king/first president of Uganda, Sir Edward Mutesa II, and Dr Muhamed Buwule Kasasa.
Yesterday, he told the commission of inquiry into land matters that a group of individuals took advantage of his father’s banishment from the country to steal 639 acres of his land.
Wasajja arrived at the commission at 10am along with his lawyers Muzamil Kibedi and Medard Lubega Sseggona. The commission is chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire and its lead counsel Ebert Byenkya led the questioning.
For the first two hours, Wasajja was asked to give the genesis of the contested land. He told court that his father obtained the land and it was registered in his name on February 12, 1946.
In July last year, the commission was tipped off that a racket involving government officials and Kasasa tried to pocket billions in total disregard of the court process.
Wasajja says Mutesa held the land until he was deposed and exiled by Milton Obote in 1966. He said that while in exile, his father transferred powers of attorney to Nnalinnya Mpologoma. Wasajja says those powers only allowed her to take care of Mutesa’s estate and to manage the various leases Mutesa had issued on the Mutungo land.
He, however, told the commission that during the same time, some unscrupulous Ugandans used the advantage of Mutesa’s predicament and drafted a general transfer of powers of attorney to Nalinnya Mpologoma, who immediately sold the land and the title ended up in the names Lake View Properties, a company owned by then chief justice Ben Kiwanuka, Bank of Uganda governor Joseph Mubiru, Lawrence Sebalu and a Ms Kabenge.
This, Wasajja said, was a fraudulent act championed by Ben Kiwanuka. Wasajja further told the commission that the signature used on the two general transfers of powers of attorney was fake.
The land was later sold to Dr Muhamed Buwule Kasasa, who is still contesting it with the administrators of Mutesa II’s estate led by Wasajja. Hearing of the matter resumes today and Dr Kasasa is also expected to appear before the commission.