200805171343 | Mushega warns against incitement during land debate

Mushega warns against incitement during land debate

The former East African Community secretary general, Col. Amanya Mushega was appearing before the parliamentary joint committee on Land to submit his views on the land amendment bill 2007. In his submission, Col. Mushega warns the members of parliament from hurriedly passing a law that could cost the country dearly. He is concerned that the land amendment bill does not address the issue of double ownership of a piece of land and provides no compensation plan for those evicted. He advises the committee to decide whether to promoting the interests of landlords or the squatters will make the economy to thrive.

He further warns that the bill has created suspicion among the public which is heightened by campaigns by the Members of Parliament to promote it in their constituencies. He advises that the sensitization be handled by independent individuals.

Col. Mushega also reports that the land issue is at the center of focus at the East African community. He recommends that government should protect the squatters from eviction, tax all the owners of idle chunks of land and avoid words that create hatred and envy among the public.

He also proposes that law be limited to only areas where there are rampant evictions and exclude those that are not affected.