Former Ugandan Ambassador to the UK and later Italy Dr. Mumtaz Kassam has written to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga explaining circumstances under which she acquired properties which belonged to departed Indians.
Mumtaz is among Ugandans being queried by Parliament of Uganda for illegally re-claiming these properties using forged attorneys and land titles.
She last month appeared before COSASE in Parliament to explain her involvement in the what was believed to be a dubious process of acquiring the properties.
“My humble request is that you meet the committee of the Expropriated Properties Owner’s Association who can confirm and verify the challenging issues raised above to find an amicable solution to the ongoing issues,” part of Mumtaz’s letter reads.
Full Letter
I refer to the various press articles and some recent social media articles and the ongoing COCASE inquiry into Custodian Board properties in Parliament and make the following observations.
In my professional capacity as a lawyer, I assisted with the repossession of both Plot 7 Dewinton Road Kampala and Plot 2 Rubaga Place for the families that owned the properties.
The said properties are not register in my names and the allegation in the Daily Monitor Newspaper dated 10th July 2019 page 8 titled “government officials named in dubious acquisition of ex Asians property” is false
- Plot 7 Dewinton Road Kampala is owned by Abas Ali Valiji and the late Sugrabi Mohamedali whose families have owned the property from 1950 and are both related to each other as cousins.
Ms. Sugrabai Moharnedali Bodalibhai who died on 16th February 2013, appointed me and her grandson Mustafa Bharmal as joint executrix/executor of her estate.
- Plot 2 Rubaga Place Kampala has 2 titles comprised in LRV434 823 and LRV434 F24.
- Plot 2 Rubaga Place Kampala LRV434 F23 is owned by the late Sugrabai Mahomedali Bodalbhai (as beneficiary of one undivided ½ share)
who appointed me and her grandson. Mustafa Bharmal as joint executrix/executor of her estate as per late Sugrabai’s last Will dated 27th July 2012 and we have the duty to protect and administer the said estate for the benefit of the beneficiaries who are all families.
- Plot 2 Rubaga place Kamapla LRV434 F24 is owned by Mr Turabali
Bharmal having bought the property from Mrs. &rya Hizainalt Alharazi, administrix of the deceased estate of late Hatim Hizamali Alharazi admin cause no 701/2007 of the High Court of Uganda at Kampala.
As you may be aware I was involved in my professional capacity as a lawyer in the exercise of the return of expropriated properties and compensation issues since 1986.
Although the Expropriated Properties Act was passed in 1982 during Obote 11 period, very few properties were returned as the system was mired in bureaucracy, corruption and malpractices.
After the NRM took power in 1986, His Excellency the President during one his official visits to United Kingdom, invited the Ugandan Asians to return to Uganda and reclaim their properties and help with the rehabilitation exercise of the country.
The return amongst other moral and legal issues was important to boost investors confidence as the economy of Uganda had nose dived.
I also sought guidance from the Attorney General on two properties that are illegally allocated by the Executive Secretary of the Custodian Board and enclose a copy of the legal opinion of the Attorney General.
Also enclosed are relevant pages of the Auditor General’s report about Departed Asians Properties Custodian Board for your kind perusal.
My humble request is that you meet the committee of the Expropriated Properties Owner’s Association who can confirm and verify the challenging issues raised above to find an amicable solution to the ongoing issues.
