The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, has strongly condemned acts of land grabbing in the country, which he says have forced many Ugandans to seek employment abroad.
Speaking during a function with locals in Wakiso, Archbishop Kazimba expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of land grabbing.
“Land grabbing is a serious issue that is affecting many Ugandans, particularly the poor and vulnerable,” he said.
“It is unacceptable that people are being forced off their land without compensation or alternative livelihoods.”
Archbishop Kazimba attributed the high rate of labor export in Uganda to land grabbing.
“Many Ugandans are being forced to seek jobs abroad because they have been displaced from their land,” he said.
“This is not only a loss to the individuals and families affected but also to the country as a whole.”
The Archbishop urged the government to take immediate action to address the issue of land grabbing.
“The government must take responsibility for protecting the rights of its citizens, particularly the right to own and occupy land,” he said.
“We urge the government to establish a clear and transparent process for land acquisition and to ensure that all individuals and communities affected by land grabbing are fairly compensated.”
Archbishop Kazimba also called on the government to strengthen laws and regulations governing land ownership and use.
“The current laws and regulations are inadequate and do not provide sufficient protection for the rights of landowners,” he said.
“We urge the government to review and strengthen these laws and regulations to prevent further land grabbing and the displacement of communities.”
The Archbishop’s comments were echoed by other religious leaders present at the function.
“We stand in solidarity with Archbishop Kazimba in condemning land grabbing and urging the government to take action,” said Sheikh Muhammad Kabuye, Chairman of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
Representatives of civil society organizations and community groups also attended the event, sharing their experiences and concerns about land grabbing.
“We have seen many cases of land grabbing in our community, and it has had a devastating impact on the lives of many people,” said a representative of a local community group.
In conclusion, Archbishop Kazimba’s condemnation of land grabbing serves as a timely reminder of the urgent need for government intervention.
His call for a clear and transparent process for land acquisition and the strengthening of land ownership laws is a step in the right direction.
The Archbishop urged the government to heed his words and take immediate action to address land grabbing in Uganda.
Statement from Religious Leaders:
“We, as religious leaders, are deeply concerned about the increasing cases of land grabbing in Uganda. Land grabbing is a serious issue that is affecting many Ugandans, particularly the poor and vulnerable. It is unacceptable that people are being forced off their land without compensation or alternative livelihoods.
We attribute the high rate of labor export in Uganda to land grabbing. Many Ugandans are being forced to seek jobs abroad because they have been displaced from their land.
This is not only a loss to the individuals and families affected but also to the country as a whole.
We urge the government to take immediate action to address the issue of land grabbing.
The government must take responsibility for protecting the rights of its citizens, particularly the right to own and occupy land.
We urge the government to establish a clear and transparent process for land acquisition and to ensure that all individuals and communities affected by land grabbing are fairly compensated.
We also call on the government to strengthen the laws and regulations governing land ownership and use.
The current laws and regulations are inadequate and do not provide sufficient protection for the rights of landowners.
We urge the government to review and strengthen these laws and regulations to prevent further land grabbing and the displacement of communities.”
Source: nilepost.co.ug
