Law Society hits back
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has criticized a move by the Head of State President Yoweri Museveni halting all land evictions without consent from the District Security Committee (DSC).
President Museveni issued an order banning all ongoing land evictions only allowing such exercise to be carried out with permission from District Security Committees-DSC which are headed by RDCs/RCCs.
The President also requested the Chief Justice Alfonse Owinyi-Dollo to prevail upon Judges and Magistrates who he said violate the Constitution by illegally allowing the eviction of people in collusion with land grabbers.
Now, the Uganda Law Society has out rightly condemned the directive saying it not only interferes with the works of the Judiciary but violates court orders.
In a statement released ,the President ULS Pheona Nabasa Wall, says that land disputes should be heard before a court of competent jurisdiction and not mediated by DSCs. Wall says this is tantamount to usurping the power of the judiciary.
“The police are currently involved in the execution of a land eviction, to provide security and ensure the enforcement of court orders. The district security organs may be informed of a pending eviction as a matter of courtesy, beefing up security and restoring the faith of the justice system in the eyes of the community,” said Wall.
Law Society hits back
She stated that as the ULS, they will continue in their mandate to guide the government on issues of legislation.
“The Uganda Law Society remains committed to assisting the government in all matters affecting legislation and the administration and practice of law in the country in accordance with its mandate enshrined in Uganda Law Society Act, Cap 276 Laws of Uganda,” she said.
Last week, the presidential deputy spokesperson Faruk Kirunda,issued a statement directing the Prime Minister to execute his orders.
“In a letter dated February 28, 2022, addressed to the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and using his powers under Article 98(1) and 99(1) of the Constitution that enjoins him to ensure good governance and protect the Constitution, the President directed that; no eviction should be allowed to take place in a district without the consent and direct observation of the DSC chaired by the Resident District Commissioners/Resident City Commissioners and direct consultation with the Minister of Lands,” the communication from the presidential deputy spokesperson reads in part.
It adds that Museveni also directed that if ‘illegal’ evictions are carried out, the members of the District Security Committee will all be held responsible and action will be taken against them. He only exempted the UPDF representatives who he said might not be in the know of the substance of the issues involved.
“He further directed the Minister of Lands to inform the Attorney General about such abuses by judicial officers so that legal action can be taken against them,” Kirunda writes.
Uganda has been grappling with the issue of land evictions which are mainly carried out with support from the police and other security organizations, not only in the densely populated areas in central Uganda but across the country.
