Officials from the Uganda Land Commission have informed the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee that they possess only 14 land titles out of the 40 mission properties submitted to the Commission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Affairs Committee is currently investigating the alleged disappearance of the land titles related to Uganda’s Mission in Pretoria and the Ambassador’s official residency. Both current and former ambassadors have disclaimed any knowledge of having seen these documents during their respective tenures.
During the Committee session this afternoon, Andrew Nyumba, the Acting Secretary of the Uganda Land Commission, stated, “The Uganda Land Commission received a list of 40 properties from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Missions abroad, requesting an update on the list of their land titles. Upon further investigations, we have discovered that we have ownership documentation for only 14 out of the 40 mission properties.”
Contrary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ claim last week that the land title for their headquarters is with the Uganda Land Commission, officials from the Commission denied being in possession of such documentation.
In response, Norah Bigirwa, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, urged the Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reconcile their records.
“The title for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is missing, and yet the Ministry indicated that the title is with ULC, and you are denying the fact that you have the land title of the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So, we need that reconciliation, who isn’t telling the truth? Where is the problem?” questioned Bigirwa.
The ongoing probe seeks to uncover the truth behind the missing land titles and ensure accountability in the management of mission properties abroad, as concerns grow over the potential implications of such lapses.