The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magezi, has issued a stern warning to local leaders against the illegal sale of public land, describing the practice as a significant obstacle to development and service delivery.
The Minister made the remarks during a visit to Mbale District, where he intervened in a long-standing dispute involving land earmarked for the construction of a new district administration block.
Magezi expressed concern over the continued abuse of public land by some leaders and revealed that Shs 1 billion allocated for the construction of the headquarters remains unutilized due to unresolved land wrangles. The site in Busoba Sub-county had been designated for the new offices, but a significant portion of the land was reportedly sold off by former district officials, sparking conflicts that have stalled the project.
“I came here specifically to sort out the issue of the administration block, and what I have found is unacceptable. Public land is not for sale—it belongs to the people and must be protected,” Magezi stated.
He warned that the government would not tolerate leaders involved in unauthorized land transactions and said legal action would be taken against those found culpable. Magezi also tasked the District Land Board and local leaders with urgently recovering the land to enable the commencement of construction.
Mbale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) George William Wopuwa welcomed the Minister’s directive, noting that it reinforces an earlier circular issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government in 2021, which halted all transactions involving public assets and land.
“I will not spare anyone found violating this directive,” Wopuwa warned his staff.
Magezi’s visit comes amid mounting public frustration over delays in establishing a permanent home for Mbale District’s administration—more than a decade after the creation of Mbale City.
The meeting was attended by the District Police Commander (DPC), District Internal Security Officer (DISO), District Chairperson (LCV), and several councillors.