Anite disowns Hon. Balyeku in the land saga

By; Jjunju Francis

3^rd October 2019

The State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite has denied knowledge and any relation to the allocation of land on plot 24 B on Kyabazinga drive in Jinja that has caused a fracas in the area.

MP Balyeku is allegedly accused of influencing the issuance of freehold title over plot 24 B Kyabazinga way in Nalufenya to businessman Thummar Jay Magnalal Patel over running lease of Jinja municipal council and a sub-lease to Tirupati development.

Anite who appeared before The Commission of Inquiry into Land matters chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire explained that to the best of her knowledge her interaction with Hon. Balyeku and the investor was to open the industrial park in Buyikwe and any land needed he was referred to the minister of Lands.

Balyeku,  Jinja LCV Chairperson Titus Kisambira, Innocent Ndiiko, the Jinja District Land Board Chairperson have been pinned by more than three witnesses for influencing the land transfer.

Balyeku claims that he spent up to 2.4 Billion shillings to buy off interests of six businessmen in the controversial Jinja district land registered it in the names of his business associate Maganalal Jay Thummar Patel for confidence building on a 25 year lease of the first investor, Tirupati Development Uganda Limited by Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in 2016, to support the setting up a shopping mall, private university, and offices for rentals.