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PHOTO: Dr. Siranda (in Kanzu) with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (left)

BY MOSES MUGALULA
PARLIAMENT 

ALL is set for opposition Democratic Party (DP)’s Secretary General Dr. Gerald Blacks Siranda to be nominated today Tuesday September 20, 2022 for Member of Parliament East African Legislative Assembly  (EALA) 2022-2027.
Nominations are on-going at Parliament of Uganda. Siranda’s delegation we have been briefed, will be led by none other than DP President General who also doubles as Justice and Constitution Affairs minister Hon. Nobert Mao together with his VP Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde.
We are reliably Informed that, after the nominations, Hon. Mbidde who has successfully served as EALA MP for two terms, will host Dr. Siranda’s delegation for a party at Serena Hotel Kampala.
Dr. Siranda who this leading investigative news website almost a year ago predicted that he will sail through to EALA, last week was officially endorsed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is the chairman of ruling NRM Party and directed NRM Members of Parliament who forms the majority, to vote for Siranda, a leader he talked about as disciplined and competent.
Museveni also cleared Justice Forum’s SG Haji Muhammad Kateregga and UPC’s SG Fred Ebil.
The three will join NRM’s six candidates to make 9 Members of Parliament, a total of MPs each member State sends in EALA every after 5 years’ term.
Museveni this time left out independents, their slot given to JEEMA’s Kateregga, due to what analysts say, this party’s religious participation in IPOD and believing in politics of dialogue.
In fact all the three parties whose candidates President Museveni gave a green to go to EALA are very active in EALA.
Not like National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). 
For starters, NUP said won’t front any candidate for EALA although it’s the leading opposition party in Uganda and for FDC, their flag bearer Harold Kaija looks like he is just flogging a dead horse! 
Besides his endorsement by NRM chairman, the three opposition parties are in good books of Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among who is the Heads the 11th Parliament and to those knowing this Bukedea district woman member of Parliament, she has an upper hand in determining who will go to EALA.
The number of independents who will try their luck is expected to be big but their chances are very slim!  
529 members of the 11th Parliament are the voters of the 9 MPs to represent Uganda in EALA 2022-2027. 

WHEN MUSEVENI, SIRANDA’S MET
On Wednesday February 9, 2022 after President Museveni met the four political party secretary generals who attended the Inter-Party Organisation Dialogue (IPOD) at State House Nakasero, Dr. Siranda asked for a few minutes to privately talk to the IPOD boss, Mr. Museveni.
For starters, Museveni is the current Chairman IPOD. That day, the IPOD meeting was attended by JEEMA’s Muhammad Kateregga, UPC’s Fred Ebil, DP’s Siranda and NRM’s Richard Todwong.
In a very humble soft voice, Dr. Siranda a young man from Eastern region told Museveni that, “Your Excellency, I won DP Primaries for EALA but there is no way I can make it without your blessings. Sir, I am begging you to help me achieve my dream.”
Siranda told a listening Museveni that he is well furnished with issues of regional coperation and the need for a common maket, so if sent to Arusha, he will foster the cause.
He talked about himself as a peace loving citizen who detests activism, telling the Head of State that he will lift the Ugandan flag higher if he gets the President’s endorsement. 
In his response, Museveni said he was happy to hear that DP is sending a young man he knows very well.
“NRM will support your candidature. I will direct NRM Secretary General to immediately work on that. All will be fine my son, you are a very discplined muzzukulu.” Noted the President.
We are told, there after, Museveni acted immediately and gave directives to Todwong and Thomas Tayebwa who was then the NRM Government Chief Whip, to make sure Siranda goes through undisturbed.
Fact is, there is nothing that has won Siranda EALA endorsement like the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) meetings. He has been in top leadership and this has brought him closer to leaders of different political parties more so NRM which has the majority MPs. These meetings have depicted him as a national leader who agitates for peace, good governance and dialogue. 

For those who don’t know, going by the 11th Parliament composition with NRMs being the majority, there is no way an opposition member can win EALA seat without NRM’s blessings.
NRM has a total of 339 MPs. Opposition are only 107 out of 529 MPs. Even if opposition MPs are allowed to vote twice, opposition MPs can’t take through their candidate. So, NRM votes count and Dr. Siranda has this vote.
Now that Siranda has been officially endorsed by ‘baba’, it’s automatic he will sail through.
We think it’s not too early to congratulate Dr. Siranda upon this great achievement in life.

DR. SIRANDA @ EALA
A trusted source says, Dr. Siranda has been loyal to the party, and at no single moment has he ever rebelled against DP. No wonder, he defeated money magnet Babirye Kabanda in EALA Primaries. 
Siranda is dependable and trusted. The party feels comfortable to deploy such a brilliant young man to EALA to replace an encyclopedia Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde.

Siranda is not tribalistic, he is a National figure. A fluent soft speaking young man,  Dr. Siranda comes from Bukedi, a region that has never had any person elected EALA MP. 
For starters,  Eastern region is among the regions with big numbers of MPs in the 11th Parliament. They are 198. This is a very good start for the son of the soil. Dr. Siranda if they unanimously vote for their son of the soil.

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WHAT NEXT: Hamis Kiggundu and his lawyer Muwema

STORY BY
MEDDIE KITYO
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA 

WHAT we predicted in all our stories about Kabaka’s Kigo Land, yesterday September 6, 2022 came to pass! Government agreed with His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda and cancelled Hamis Kiggundu’s Titles he had fraudently acquired on Kabaka’s land without the knowledge of the Land Lord. Thanks to The Commissioner Land Registration, Kabaka’s legal team and Buganda Land Board (BLB), an organisation set up by Kabaka to manage Kingdom land, for the job well done.
Buganda Kingdom petitioned the Commissioner Land Registration to cancel Kiggundu’s titles accusing him of overlapping Kabaka’s land with freehold titles.
According to a  judgment signed by Mugaino Baker yesterday, Commissioner Land Registration ordered the immediate cancellation of Kiggundu’s titles citing an overlap on Kabaka’s titles, fraudulent procedures of allocating land by Wakiso district and the fact that the disputed land is a wetland.
This land is situated between Serena-Kigo and Mirembe Villas land, off Munyonyo Spur Road, and extends inwards sharing common boundaries with Serena-Kigo, Mirembe Villas, and the Lake. Usable acreage is 78.086 acres whereas 15.236 acres incorporate access roads.
“By the powers conferred upon me under S.91 of the Land Act, having found that the certificate of titles comprised in Kyadondo Block 273 plots 23974, 23975, 23976, and 23977 subdivided from plot 23720 were illegally issued, I hereby order that the same be cancelled and expunged from the register book forthwith.” Reads the judgement.
The Commissioner’s decision settles the longstanding battle between Hamis Kiggundu and the Kabaka of Buganda over ownership of land in Kigo measuring 140 acres.
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA first broke this story earlier this year when Buganda kingdom stopped activities by Kiggundu where he wanted to construct a road between Mirembe Villas and Serena Hotel Kigo to gain access to what he calledd his land.
Mengo insisted that the land claimed by Kiggundu is Kabaka’s and all titles being peddled were acquired fraudulently. 
The matter was then referred to the Commissioner Land Registration to cancel the titles thereon.
Following  a cancellation hearing, the commissioner ordered a joint boundary opening exercise to ascertain the true ownership of this land conducted by surveyors from both parties.
“According to both majority and minority reports availed to the office of the commissioner land registration, it is deduced by both reports that there is an encroachment by the freehold titles on the Mailo titles. Both reports agree that plots 23974, 23975, 23976 and 23977 owned  by Kiham entreprises ltd encroach onto the Mailo Titles in plots 38, 87,99 and 110 owned by the Kabaka of Buganda,” reads the Commissioner’s judgment. 
He adds, “Therefore, it is questionable how a professional survey could have been undertaken to create on overlay on an already existing title. Without any doubt, such survey process was flawed and an illegality that resulted in double titling.”
The Commissioner Land Registration therefore said, “My finding that the freehold titles owned by Kiham Entreprises Ltd overlap the Mailo Titles owned by Kabaka of Buganda, which is illegal.”
The judgment further points out that the said land is a wetland given that it is found in the lake reserve area.
“It is therefore my finding that even if the land was public land, Wakiso District Land Board illegally gave out in grant of freehold to Kiham Enterprise subject land when the same is a wetland. It was therefore illegal for Wakiso Ministry Zonal Office to title land which was a wetland on recommendation of the land board.” Reads the judgement in detail.
There was also a contention on the procedure followed in the allocation of the said land, with Kabaka’s lawyers saying the area land committee used does not have jurisdiction over the said land.
“It is, therefore, my finding that the applications for grant of freehold having been handled by Kajjansi Town Council yet the land falls under Makindye Ssaabagabo Area Land Committee was illegal and affects the root of the title. The titles should therefore be cancelled having been flouted in the procedure of their allocation.” Said The Commissioner Land Registration.

WHEN KABAKA’S LAWYERS LEFT KIGGUNDU SWEATING PLASMA @ COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE
Lawyers from two popular legal firms of Ms. K&K Advocates (Kiwanuka & Karugire Advocates) and Ms. S & L Advocates (Sebalu and Lule Advocates) acting on instructions of Buganda Kingdom first advised businessman Hamis Kiggundu to conceed cancellation of these fake titles and make an apology to His Majesty The Kabaka of Buganda, his officials and to all the people of Buganda for the plot he had crafted to grab Kabaka’s land or he will be made to pay for his sins! Kiggundu remained adamant!
This was during a tribunal hearing at the Commissioner Land Registration officer in Kampala a few weeks ago.
Kiggundu was asserting that he is the rightful owner of the land and that he legally obtained it from the Wakiso district Land Board although Wakiso Land Board disowns him saying signatures were forged.
According to an insider at the office of the Commissioner Land Registration, Kabaka’s lawyers arrived at the tribunal in time for hearing, ready to expose Hamis Kiggundu who they insist faked titles on Kabaka’s Kigo land.
They petitioned for the cancellation of these fake titles so that Ham doesn’t hoodwink other people and sell them this land which doesn’t exist.
Hamis who a few days ago went to Mengo and confessed before cameras how he gave up on Kabaka’s land, shockingly ate his vomit when he changed his mind and protested cancellation of the fake titles. 
Commissioner Land Registration tribunal summoned the two parties to listen to them before pronouncing himself on the cancellation application.
Minutes later, after the arrival of Kabaka’s lawyers, Hamis Kiggundu entered with his front man Edward Nakibinge with whom they claim ownership of Kigo land through Kiham Enterprises Ltd. 
Kiggundu who looked frustrated because of the absence of his lawyer Muwema, was seen moving up and down, making endless calls to someone whom our sources believe was his lawyer Fred Muwema of Muwema & Co. Advocates.
Later, counsel Muwema arrived and on his arrival, he asked tribunal for adjournment to grant him more time to study his client’s titles. 
“We are asking for a two weeks’ adjournment…” pleaded Kiggundu’s lawyer Muwema, to which Kabaka’s lawyer objected saying that was too much time. “There is nothing much Muwema was studying, the fact is Hamis Kiggundu’s land titles are fake, they should just be cancelled, nothing much.” Said Kabaka’s lawyers. Tribunal gave Muwema only one week.
After adjournment, Hamis Kiggundu approached Kabaka’s lawyers and asked them why they are tainting his name before Kabaka’s subjects yet he is a loyal subject.
In his response, one of the lawyers told Kiggundu, “You are just making false allegations. None of us has ever gone to media houses to spit fire against you like you do against Buganda Land Board officials. We have your recordings to the media blackmailing some BLB officials and labelling them as fraudsters. By the way, after this land matter, we have other instructions to sue you over your defamatory statements against Kabaka’s officials.”
In fact while addressing media a few days ago, Hamis Kiggundu named BLB officials he wanted Katikkiro Mayiga to investigate for what he termed as being fraudster. 
These officials said Kiggundu is targeting them because they blocked his deal to grab over 140 acres of Kabaka’s Kigo land. 

BOUNDARY OPENING
Hamis Kiggundu first requested for boundary opening to ascertain his freehold land from Kabaka’s mailo land to which Kabaka’s lawyers said they had no objections. 
For starters, boundary opening is a method for determining the exact borders of a piece of property. It mainly focuses on the definition of the corners of a plot. 
In a letter dated May 24, Mr. Henry Opio Ogenyi the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development
said there were overlaps between Kyadondo Block 273, Plot 38 (Mailo Title) and Kyadondo Block 273, Plots (23974, 23975, 23976, and 23977). 
The Ministry called for a boundary opening exercise to determine the exact borders of the 140-acres of land in Kigo which Hamis Kiggundu claims. 
In a letter to CEO Buganda Land Board, Mr. Ogenyi said, “There is a need for boundary opening of plots 23974, 23975, 23976, and 23977 in relation plot 38, all Kyandondo block 273.” 
Kiggundu had also proposed that a joint boundary opening exercise of both the freehold land titles comprised of Kyadondo Block 273 Plots 23974, 23975, 23976, 23977 and the Kabaka’s Private Mailo land comprised of Kyadondo Block 273 Plots 87, 99,110 be carried out to seek clarifications and ascertain the true location of both properties and as a way of confirming that the two properties are separate, do not overlap into one another.

KABAKA’S LAWYERS PUT TOUGH TERM
Kabaka’s lawyers said, “We also want boundary opening, however, land boundary is opened on two genuine titles but Kiham’s titles are disputed, they are fake. Let’s first put Hamis Kiggundu’s titles on a test of legality.”
“First question/procedure which Mr. Kiggundu must address, is the authenticity of his titles. How did he get them? Officials of Wakiso Land Board say their signatures were forged, and you call that a genuine title?” Asked Kabaka’s lawyers.
Secondly they asked Kiggundu to explain how Kajjansi Town Coucil land committee sanctioned him to get this land yet the disputed Kabaka’s Kigo land is in Makindye Ssaabagabo Municipality. 
“Don’t you think may be your land is somewhere else not in Kigo as you allege?” Lawyers asked.
Kabaka’s lawyers said, the whole Country was mapped, if Hamis says his land is in the lake area, which is public land,
“Public land comes from crown land. Crown land was crown grant. We are asking Kiggundu for his crown grant number if he is talking about owning public land.” Asked Kabaka’s lawyers, and Ham had no answers. No wonder, he lost the battle! 

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When Bishop Joshua Lwere and other leaders of NFBPC-U visited Buganda Kingdom Premier Charles Peter Mayiga at Bulange-Mengo

NEWS EDITOR MEDIA TEAM

BISHOP Joshua Lwere whose second and final term as General Overseer (GO) of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda (NFBPC) is coming to an end, has finally succumbed to pressure from over 2000 pastors in Uganda. He has announced his exit! 
This marks the end of rumours which were making rounds among different groups of Born-Again that Joshua Lwere and a clique of his people were plotting to cause the ammendments in the constitution governing NFBPC, with the aim of removing term limit so as to make him a life leader.
This leading investigative news website had landed on a plot hatched by Bishop Joshua Lwere and a clique of his yes men to touch the NFBPC constitution and remove Article 22 (5 b) (b iii) which reads, “After two consecutive terms, the General Overseer may only be eligible for re-election if a period equal or more than the total length that he spent in office has elapsed.”
Meaning, since Lwere’s two terms have elapsed, a new General Overseer should be elected, for he may return to contest for the same office if he wishes to, in the future but not at the expiry of his two terms. So he has to leave office to pave way for the election of the new NFBPC leader.
However, Lwere’s camp didn’t want him to leave office, they wanted the constitution amended so that he runs again! 
During the recently convened Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Lwere’s Grace Assembly Christian Centre located at Sir Apollo Kaggwa road in Kampala, this idea was dropped and this is when Lwere told delegates present that he is going to let them choose a new leader for Balokole in Uganda! 
“Fellow Bishops and all delegates, my term as the General Overseer has ended! I am going away, be ready to choose a new leader.” Announced Bishop Joshua Lwere during the AGM.
The Aspirants for the General Overseer office include; Leonard Sserwadda from Masaka, Fredrick Ssemazzi (former General Secretary (NFBPC ) from Bukasa in Muyenga, Joseph Nsubuga (current National Mobilizer) from Komamboga Kawempe, Moses Odongo (the current National Clerk) from Namuwongo, and renown Pr. David Micheal Kyazze of Omega Healing Centre Namasuba on Entebbe road.
Lwere’s confession that he has no plans to influence constitution amendments and cling to power excited delegates who had planned to walkout on him, protesting if he had dared to announce otherwise! 
One senior pastor said, “Now you are talking. Those who wanted you to abrogate our constitution were misleading you. We shall indeed choose your successor by the guidance of The Holy Spirit.”
Lwere distanced himself from any knowledge about constitutional amendments as alleged saying, the constitutional provision of two terms will be preserved.
According to our sources who attended that AGM, the idea of ending tenure of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and that of Electoral Commission (EC) as it had been planned by the Lwere clique also failed.
In fact if it had passed, this could have led to the postponement of the elections. Now that EC’s work was not sabotaged, election of new leaders of National Fellowship for Born-Again Pentecostal Churches, is on course.  Days before the AGM, the election process had been stopped, aspirants banned on the orders of Lwere from holding consultative meetings.
However, Lwere’s clique managed to remove the 40% constitutional requirement for nomination of the General Overseer (GO). 
According to Article 22 (4) b) 
(a); The names of the candidates for the office of the General Overseer shall be forwarded by a minimum of 40% of the District Governing Council (s) from among the members of the National Electoral College, (with national reflection) to the Electoral Commission, which in turn shall forward them to the National Council of Elders for vetting.
In the recent AGM, they also passed a ridiculous AGM sitting to propose and pass a change of constitution without review of the CRC. 

EC SEEKS FOR UGX 2B TO ORGANISE ELECTIONS
Meanwhile, there is a conundrum in the National Fellowship for Born-Again Pentectostal Churches of Uganda, the   Electoral Commission which is in charge of elections of new leaders has no money to conduct elections.
We can reliably report that, EC is in situation catch 22, the commission is looking for funds to the tune of UGX 2B to organise for fresh elections country over. 
Insiders say, although AGM cleared the electoral road map, they didn’t discuss source of the funding.
“Some of us still think that AGM was not needed at this time. Sums of money which was spent to convene the AGM, feeding over 400 delegates for days and transported them back, would have been diverted for the elections this month. How can you give EC a green light to organise elections when you have not given it money? What a clear sabotage?” Asked one of the delegates.
There is a school of thought that there is no interest at all about the elections, “Since selfish interests were frustrated by Pastors.” 
Our attempts to reach Apostle Rogers Zziwa who is the Commissioner General (CG) for EC so that he tells us the way forward were futile, by press time he had not picked our calls. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NFBPC
The National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda (NFBPC-U) was formed 32 years ago in 1990.
Records show, it was an idea by the then President Museveni’s Government Minister Balaki Kirya who was a Born-Again. 
General Overseer (GO) of NFBPC is the ultimate leader of the Fellowship of Pentecostal Churches in Uganda.
The first General Overseer was Prof. Simeon Kayiwa of Namirembe Christian Fellowship. 
Kayiwa became GO in 1990 -1995 and was given a second term. 
In 2003, Apostle Alex Mitala took over from Prof. Simeon Kayiwa. His leadership ended in 2013 after 10 years and he left the office peacefully.
The mantle was given to the reigning leadership of Bishop Joshua Lwere in 2013 and his term remains with a few weeks to end.

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Hon. Kawalya addressing the people of Namungoona whose property were destroyed by NEMA yesterday.

NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

RUBAGA NORTH legislator Hon. Abubaker Kawalya today morning rushed to Namungoona in Rubaga, where hundreds of people were yesterday illegally evicted by officials from The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and their property worth millions of shillings reportedly destroyed by heartless security officials!
MP Kawalya who was accompanied by Rubaga mayor Zacchy Mberaze, a number of councilors and other local leaders, bought food for the evicted people and also vowed to pursue this matter to Parliament. 
Kawalya wants his people compensated for the loss they incurred over what people called incompetence and injustice inflicted upon them by NEMA.
“I am going to raise this issue as a matter of National importance. We will also engage Prime minister. My people must be compensated. NEMA didn’t give them notice, they were just ambushed as if NEMA doesn’t know the law.” Area MP Kawalya told our reporter, on phone.
On Wednesday, NEMA conducted what referred to as a merciless eviction operation that combed down people’s houses and businesses amidst tight security by police officers who were armed to the teeth.
Kawalya together with mayor Mberaze and councilors 0 Councilors Wasswa Ibra Ssemanda, Agatha Mawanda and Hajat Fatuma Muguluma got annoyed by the wrath of the security operatives who conducted the operation which saw the destruction of property worth millions, hence turning these residents into beggars.
The evicted people told their Member of parliament how they erected their structures at the watch of NEMA. They are now demanding for equity in form of compensation for the damage inflicted onto them.
In response, NUP MP Kawalya said, the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, under the General Social and Economic Objectives guarantees to fulfill the fundamental rights of all Ugandans to social justice, economic development, enjoying rights and opportunities and access to clean and safe water, health and decent shelter amongst others.
He said his people were not given a fair hearing and in any way, NEMA had to warn them.
We are told, during a retreat of RCCs/RDCs and their deputies in Kyankwanzi recently, President Museveni directed them to desist from giving green light to people building in wetlands warning that,  any RCC or RDC who will be involved,  “I will not only fire you but you will be arrested and taken to prison.”
Mr. Museveni believes, floods which rese hit Bugishu subregion killing people and destruction of properties, were as a result of encroaching on wetlands. He also directed NEMA to handle. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is a semi-autonomous institution, established in May 1995, as the principal agency in Uganda, charged with the responsibility of coordinating, monitoring, regulating and supervising environmental management in the country. 
Hon. Kawalya however said, in execution of their duties, NEMA should notify the people before evictions are carried out so that their property isn’t destroyed.  

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