The select committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has summoned the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and businessman, Amos Nzeyi, to answer queries related to the sale of land in Temangalo allegedly belonging to departed Asians.
In 2008, Nzeyi sold land in Temangalo to NSSF at shs11 billion, a transaction that became controversial and attracted a probe by Parliament.
On 10 August 2018, a Canadian-Asian family petitioned the Land Commission of Inquiry claiming ownership of 366.2 acres of the said land.
Nazim Moosa testified that his father, Mohammed Hassnali Moosa who died in 1997 owned Temangalo Tea Estate Limited.
While appearing before COSASE on 14 August 2019, Moosa presented evidence of a 79 year lease and called on the committee to intervene so that his family can be compensated for the loss.
“Our family obtained the land in 1924 before we were expelled by President Idi Amin Dada in 1972. It was fraudulently transferred to Nzeeyi under unclear circumstances that need to be sorted out,” said Moosa.
He added that his family is open to a negotiated settlement saying that taking the case to court would drag it adding that it has already taken long.
“We have been in this for 26 years; if we drag this to courts, we are already old and might not benefit much,” said Moosa.
The Chairperson COSASE, Hon. Ibrahim Kasozi said that the concerned parties including NSSF, Nzeeyi, former Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma and former Lands Registrar, Sarah Kulata, will appear before the committee next week.
COSASE is investigating reports of fraudulent acquisition of properties of the Asians who were expelled during Idi Amin’s regime.
The properties have been under the management of the Departed Asians’ Property Custodian Board, a government body, since 1983.
