The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uganda has sparked controversy after admitting to not having possession of the land titles for Uganda’s Mission in Pretoria and the Ambassador’s official residency. John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs), made a startling revelation during a media interview, placing the blame squarely on the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) for the missing documents.
Mulimba emphasized that the mandate for holding land titles of all public land rested solely with the Uganda Land Commission. He clarified, “They [ULC] have the mandate to host all government titles. If they claim they don’t have them, it is their responsibility to explain. It isn’t the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ duty. My portfolio concerns foreign policy, not land management.”
Responding to recent reports by the Uganda Land Commission before Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Mulimba expressed disbelief at the lack of documentation for the Pretoria properties. He criticized the committee’s decision to send MPs to South Africa in search of the titles, arguing that initiating the investigation at the Uganda Land Commission would have been more cost-effective and prudent.
“I questioned the motive behind rushing to Pretoria instead of inviting the Uganda Land Commission, which holds all government land titles. If one aims to investigate a title’s mortgage, the logical starting point should be within Uganda,” Mulimba stated, highlighting the inefficiency of the committee’s actions.
The Minister’s comments have stirred debate, with some advocating for increased transparency and accountability in the handling of government property titles. The focus has now shifted to the Uganda Land Commission to provide clarity on the whereabouts of the missing titles, amidst concerns over proper documentation and management of public land assets.
