The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) has summoned a woman who appeared in a video that has since gone viral, accusing Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa-Deputy Speaker, in conspiracy with two others, of grabbing her land.
In the video circulating on social media, one Esther Lubunde, wife to Dr. Edward Lubunde, claims that Tayebwa, in conspiracy with Nziza Patrick and Nkubiito Allan, grabbed their land in Entebbe. She also claims that various state agencies to which she had reported the matter, including SHACU have done nothing to help them.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, SHACU confirmed knowledge of the matter, saying it first intervened in 2021, following a similar video by the same Ms Lubunde.
Investigations undertaken by SHACU established that; Dr. Lubunde Edward and his wife bought land from Nkubiito Allan without the consent of the Nkubiito family.
“Without knowledge of the sale to Dr. Lubunde, the family also sold the same land to Nziza Patrick, who took possession and erected a structure on the land,” SHACU said.
According to SHACU, the Lubunde family first reported the matter to Entebbe Police, under which the Lubunde family felt the case was being mismanaged.
Subsequently, they reported to SHACU, and it was through SHACU’s intervention that Nkubiito Allan and Nziza Patrick were charged with obtaining money by false pretense and criminal trespass.
While at SHACU, Nziza offered to settle the matter amicably, but the Lubunde family declined.
The Lubunde family instead filed a civil suit against Nkubiito Allan and Nziza Patrick, who also filed a counter claim against the Lubunde’s and the Commissioner Land Registration (CLR), that the Lubunde’s title was acquired fraudulently.
On 27th March, 2023, the High Court (Land Division) ruled in favour of Nziza and Dr. Lubunde was ordered to pay costs.
Contrary to Esther’s claims, SHACU says in all the interactions they had with her and her husband, Dr. Lubunde, they did not at any one time present any complaint against the person of Tayebwa.
The Unit says it has investigated claims of kidnap raised in the most recent video by Mrs. Esther Lubunde and established that he was not kidnapped, but rather committed to a civil prison for failing to pay costs awarded against him in the civil case against Nziza. He is currently detained at Luzira Prison.
“His detention at the prison facility is in the knowledge of his wife and other relatives, who have visited him there, as captured in prison records. Our investigation team has summoned Mrs. Esther Lubunde to come and substantiate her claims,” SHACU says.
“We would wish to caution members of the public who misuse social media for selfish and illegitimate ends. It is unlawful and offenders may be charged,” it adds.
In a media interview at Parliament, Tayebwa revealed that he held a meeting with the aggrieved lady who really sounded desperate, and was forced to go to social media after seeking help from numerous offices but they couldn’t get a decision that they hoped.
The Deputy Speaker also confirmed that the aggrieved woman’s husband is indeed in prison where he is serving a term of 6 months for failure to pay legal fine to a tune of Shs40M after losing out on a court case.
“When she apologized to me, I have wholeheartedly forgiven her because when you see her, she is sickly, she is really desperate, clutching on anything that could help her address the issue of her husband being in prison.
“What is painful is how social media is being used to destroy people’s names and likes, from nowhere, someone makes a video and it goes viral and I don’t think she can make any video of apology that can reinstate the damage this has caused my name,” Tayebwa said.
