Jinja City Council has finally given its approval for the establishment of a land board committee after a prolonged three-year delay, marking a significant step toward fostering development in the city. The absence of a land board had previously cost Jinja City approximately Shs5 billion, according to a report from Monitor last week.
In compliance with the Uganda Land Act (1998), which designates land boards for managing and allocating land in cities, Mayor Peter Kasolo highlighted the negative impact of the absence of a land board on the city’s development.
On Tuesday, city councilors, led by Speaker Bernard Mbayo, unanimously approved a seven-member land board committee, chaired by advocate Jamiru Mukama Sanyu. The committee includes members such as lawyer Alex Luganda, Busoga Kingdom’s Attorney General Barbra Munyaruguru, teacher at Jinja Progressive Academy Harriet Mirembe Mukisa, businessman Phillip Bogere, entrepreneur Mohammed Katuntubiru, and businessman Joram Emmanuel Kamugisha.
Mayor Mbayo emphasized that the establishment of the land board committee was crucial “in the interest of the public to end the three-year vacuum that was creating losses and disservices in the City.” He referred to the recent report of Shs5 billion in losses attributed to the absence of a land board, expressing hope that this situation would now be rectified.
Jinja City Mayor Peter Kasolo cautioned the newly appointed committee members against corruption and apologized to residents for the delay in creating a substantive board. He urged residents to formalize all land acquisition deals made before the appointment of the land board to avoid potential risks of losing their land.
The newly established land board is expected to catalyze further development, as secure land is more likely to attract investors. Jinja City Secretary for Works Juma Ssozi pointed out that certain road works had stalled due to the absence of a land board, particularly in the compensation process.
The road to establishing the land board faced hurdles, with the Deputy Inspector General of Government Patricia Achan Okiria halting the approval process in February 2022. Okiria’s decision was based on concerns that Mayor Kasolo did not follow the correct procedure in presenting nominees to the board.
In December 2022, the Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya intervened to stop the Council from discussing the appointment of city land board members, citing the need to ensure adherence to the Local Government Act.
