By Emma Bwayo
MBALE
Former Mbale District are now having sleepless nights after the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi ordered for immediate investigation on sale of Busoba Sub-county land.
Busoba Sub-county was designated to host the new district offices, but a large portion of the land was reportedly sold off by former district leaders, sparking conflicts that have stalled the project.
Magyezi made the orders on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025 when he visited Mbale to intervene in the long-standing dispute over land meant for the construction of the new district administration block.
He warned that the government will not tolerate leaders who engage in unauthorized land sales and said legal action would be taken against those found culpable. The Minister also tasked the District Land Board and local leaders to urgently recover the land and pave the way for the construction works to begin.
Magyezi expressed concern over the continued abuse of public land by some leaders and revealed that Shs 1 billion allocated for the construction of the district headquarters remains unutilized due to unresolved land wrangles.
“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,” Magyezi stated.
George William Wopuwa, the Mbale District RDC welcomed the directive saying its just a supplement to an instrument issued by the Local Government PS in 2021 halting all transaction on public assets and land, he warned his staff saying he won’t spare anyone.
Magyezi’s visit comes amid growing public frustration over delays in establishing a permanent home for Mbale District’s administration, more than a decade since the creation of Mbale City.
The meeting was attended by DPC, DISO, LCV and some councillors.
