In a recent development that has sparked intense debate, Members of Parliament (MPs) have voiced strong opposition to the government’s potential acquisition of land for Bunyoro University, citing a Shs4.9 billion demand for a pine tree plantation on the land.
The 100-acre plot in Buhimba Town Council, Hoima City, was offered to the government by Dr. Henry Wamani, a Hoima resident, who set the condition that the government must pay this substantial sum as compensation for his pine tree plantation.
The offer, initially hailed as a generous land donation, was met with mixed reactions from MPs on the Committee on Education and Sports, who met with officials from the Bunyoro University Task Force Management Committee on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
The cost of the trees has become a point of contention, with MPs questioning the fairness of the demand.
Busia Municipality MP, Hon. Geoffrey Macho, expressed his concerns, labeling the cost of the trees as exorbitant.
"A university can be situated anywhere in Bunyoro; we cannot buy trees more expensively than the cost of land," Macho argued, suggesting that the government should explore alternative land options that come at a more reasonable price.
Hon. Michael Kakembo (NUP, Entebbe Municipality) added to the criticism, pointing out the contradiction in the offer.
"He [Wamani] is telling us the land is free but at the same time telling us to buy his trees. The land is not free, and it is expensive," Kakembo said, questioning the true cost of the land and the viability of the deal.
The Chairperson of the Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus, Hon. Jacob Karubanga (NRM, Kibanda South County), defended the proposal, explaining that the land offer includes 20 acres that could be developed immediately, with the remaining 80 acres subject to a 15-year wait for the pine trees to mature.
If the land is used before the trees are harvested, the government would be required to pay the Shs4.9 billion compensation for the trees.
Karubanga emphasized that the land had been rated as the most suitable for the university by the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, with a freehold type of tenure that would allow government ownership once the trees were harvested.
However, Hon. Philliphs Lokwang (NRM, Napore West County) raised concerns about the possibility of the agreement being violated after the 15-year period, citing a past incident in Soroti District where land offered for a school was later reclaimed by the donor.
Hon. Margaret Makhoha (Indep., Namayingo District Woman Representative) also voiced her concerns about the land's title. "Donated land without a title is contentious. We have the willingness to call on government to invest, but ownership is important," she remarked, urging the task force to ensure that the land is properly titled to secure government ownership.
Committee chairperson Hon. James Kubeketerya stressed the urgency of procuring the land, stating that the decision to include funding for the university in the 2025/2026 budget would depend on the availability of land.
"Before we handle the Ministerial Policy Statements, we should have heard from you," Kubeketerya said, signaling the importance of resolving the land issue quickly.
Grace Bantebya, a member of the Bunyoro University Task Force, highlighted that the Ministry of Education had tasked the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) to assess the land.
She confirmed that the report was ready and would be presented soon, adding that no final decision could be made until the NCHE’s findings were reviewed.
In 2021, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Ministry of Education to establish a public university in the Bunyoro region, aimed at enhancing higher education accessibility and regional development.
However, the land issue remains a major obstacle to the realization of this vision. With MPs urging the government to explore other land options or reconsider the compensation demand, the future of the Bunyoro University remains uncertain.
As the debate continues, all eyes will be on the government's next steps in securing land for this much-needed educational institution in Bunyoro.
The proposed deal has highlighted not only the challenges of land acquisition for development projects but also the need for transparency and fairness in such agreements.Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Join the Daily West Nile WhatsApp group now to never miss an update from us.Download Host Media Now from the Play Store to watch HostTV, listen to Host Radio Live, and stay informed—all in one convenient app!
CC: POU
