Betty Amongi, the Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister, is in fresh trouble for alleged land grabbing, after a Ugandan woman based in the United Kingdom, Lillian Akullu dragged her to Lira High Court for grabbing her land measuring 3.5 acres along Erute Road in senior quarters.
Akullu, through her Lawyers, Adad and Company Advocates, wants High court to block Amongi from using her land, onto which the minister has built residential premises. Akullu acquired the land in 1991.
She explains that upon receiving information that Amongi had taken over her land from her relatives, she contacted the Lira District Lands office and Municipal authorities to stop but she didn't listen.
According to Akullu, the minister has been pushing her to accept compensation for the land, but all she needs in her land because she bought it for her children.
But, Amongi has denied the accusations of grabbing Akullu's land, saying she bought it from her brothers including the former Housing State Minister, Sam Engola and another she only identified as Okaka.
In a turn of events however, Engola denied selling Akullu's land, but confirmed having mediated the dispute between the minister and complainant.
"Imagine at one point, Amongi gave me additional 17 million Shillings to give to Akullu but she refused. I don't know what she is up to. I have ever mediated to resolve the dispute but my sister has failed to listen," Engola said.
Amongi has been in trouble as she recently appeared before the Justice Catherine Bamugemereire Commission for illegally acquiring prime property under the Departed Asian Property Custodian Board through her private firm, AMOBET Company limited.