Wednesday, 16th April, 2008 ,Published by The NewVision

Peasants occupying land as tenants cannot afford to pay commercial rent because they earn low incomes, President Yoweri Museveni has said.

Museveni, who was meeting Christian and Muslim religious leaders on Tuesday, said under the proposed Land Amendment Bill, tenants should pay a nominal rent as opposed to commercial rent.

In a statement issued by State House yesterday, Museveni said the land law was being amended because of the big demand for land.

The religious leaders included Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop Luke Orombi, Mufti Shaban Mubajje, Tabliq sect leader Amir Sulaiman Kakeeto, Pastor Robert Kayanja and Pastor Joseph Sserwadda. The meeting was at State House,
Museveni reiterated that the Government would protect peasants in regard to land ownership.

The President criticised the opposition for trying to confuse the country using land matters.

Landlords, he stated, should amicably reach an agreement with bibanja (plot) holders.

“Museveni said the 1998 land law ensured that no evictions are conducted except through the courts of law. He told the clerics that the law sets a limit to land rates at sh1,000 in order to protect tenants,” added the statement.

Museveni said landlords do not have power to evict tenants and warned that “magistrates, the Police and other parties involved in illegal evictions would serve seven years in Prison.”

Landlords who destroy tenants' properties should compensate them, Museveni added, lashing out at local private radio stations for causing commotion over the land issue.

He advised religious leaders to advise people misleading the wananchi over the land bill to stop.

Wamala thanked the President for addressing them on the Bill and urged the Government to enlighten opinion leaders on the Bill before it is passed.

Orombi said religious leaders are pleased with the Government's intentions on land.

Kayanja commended the President for trying to protect the poor people. He also criticised media houses for blowing the land issues out of proportion.