Nabakooba Puts Village Leaders on Notice Over Funds, Land Disputes
Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba has directed newly sworn-in village chairpersons in Mityana district to recover government livelihood funds, strengthen accountability and refer land disputes through established security structures.
Nabakooba issued the directives during induction meetings held as part of her week-long tour of sub-counties and town councils in the district.
She tasked the leaders with monitoring programmes including the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Emyooga, Parish Development Model (PDM) and GROW to ensure beneficiaries remain active and use the funds for their intended purposes.
“These were revolving funds which are supposed to keep in circulation among the members to make sure that at least each resident benefits. Your responsibility is to go and get lists of beneficiaries and look for them to repay back the loans,” Nabakooba said.
She said poor recovery had affected the expansion of some programmes. Under Emyooga, groups initially received UGX 30 million at constituency level, while successful groups could receive an additional UGX 20 million annually.
Nabakooba also asked village leaders to identify community priorities for consideration in the next financial year’s budget, including electricity, piped water, roads, staffing and health facilities.
“We have started the budget call circular. List your needs and put them together and send them to the town councils, which will in turn pass them over to the district to be incorporated in the budget,” she stated.
Mityana District Clerk to Council Edith Ritah Namukwaya said Bbanda, Ssekanyonyi and Zigoti town councils faced serious staffing shortages, with some having more than 10 vacant positions.
On land, Nabakooba warned village chairpersons against handling disputes and transactions individually, saying they should consult their committees to avoid legal liability.
“If you parcel the land or kibanja in a mistake, you will be accountable alone in the courts of law. But when you consult your various committee, they can be able to advise you,” she noted.
She said land disputes should first go through the district security committee before being referred to the town council and village leadership.
Nabakooba also directed leaders to verify ownership before paying busuulu and urged them to serve residents regardless of political affiliation.
Mityana District Chairperson Joseph Luzige pledged to work with the new leaders to improve service delivery and provide free legal services to residents who need assistance.
