Nzeyi Rejects Land Handover, Offers Refund Amidst Temangalo Project Dispute

A significant dispute has erupted over the National Social Security Fund’s (NSSF) Shs21 billion Temangalo housing project, with businessman Amos Nzeyi firmly refusing to surrender a portion of the land.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) through his lawyer, Peter Kabatsi, Nzeyi stated his client’s position. Kabatsi argued that the 55 acres NSSF claims are not what his client understood to be part of the deal, asserting the disputed area is actually 45 acres.

Adding to the complexity, the land in question, Plot 12, reportedly contains Nzeyi’s home and farm, making its surrender problematic. Instead of vacating the property, Nzeyi has offered to refund the money NSSF paid for the disputed land. If NSSF remains insistent on acquiring Plot 12, Nzeyi’s representative proposed that the Fund should purchase his remaining 110 acres in the vicinity at current market rates.

The situation took a turn when it was revealed that the access road to the NSSF housing project traverses land owned by Nzeyi. This discovery has raised serious questions about the project’s planning and approval process, particularly the lack of a secured access route.

Legislators also turned their attention to the project’s construction, scrutinizing the design and dimensions of the houses. Concerns were voiced that some rooms are too small to accommodate standard furniture, prompting demands for clarification on who approved these designs.

In a related matter, COSASE questioned NSSF officials and Uganda Clays Limited representatives regarding a Shs20 billion loan. MPs expressed alarm over reports that some of the collateral provided by Uganda Clays for this NSSF loan was also being used as security for a separate loan from Housing Finance Bank, raising red flags about the risk to NSSF members’ funds.

Parties involved, including NSSF, Uganda Clays, and the project contractors, are expected to provide all relevant documentation for further review by the committee.

Source: Nile Post