Court Orders UPDF General to compensate businessman UGX 255M over bogus land transaction

High Court Civil Division has ordered Major General Elly Kayanja to pay businessman, Gerald Batte Shillings 255 million arising from a bogus land deal. Justice Lydia Mugambe issued the orders on Wednesday in her judgment on an application filed by Batte against Gen. Kayanja.

In his application, Batte explained that he bought 11 acres of the land in Matuga Kyadondo comprising block 91 plot 3 at Matuga in Kyadondo on March 19th 2018 at Shillings 920 million. According to Batte, he paid an installment of Shillings 200 million and promised to complete payment once he successfully surveys the land and opens its boundaries.

He also says they agreed with Kayanja to refund the money should there be any third parties challenging the land transaction. Batte explained that when he commenced the survey process, third parties showed up claiming they have interested on the land and have since made impossible for him to survey it and take full possession.

Court further heard that on May 14th 2018, Kayanja’s lawyers of M/S Kayanja and Company Advocates requested for a month to settle Batte’s claims in vain.  In her judgment, Justice Lydia Mugambe said there is evidence that Kayanja acknowledged receipt of the money in question.

She there directed Gen. Kayanja to refund the money and pay Batte an additional Shillings 30 million as compensation for the inconveniences caused to him, hiring brokers, Andy’s Machinery Services Limited to subdivide the said land and open its boundaries.

She also awarded Batte Shillings 25 million as general damages to cater for the embarrassment caused to him.  The money will attract 25 percent interest per annum effective March 2018 up to when full payment is made.

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