NSSF moves to evict Nzeyi from disputed Temangalo land

KAMPALA — The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has asked the High Court to evict businessman Amos Nzeyi from about 55 acres of land at Temangalo in Wakiso District, escalating a dispute that has persisted for nearly two decades.

The Fund says it took the legal step after Mr Nzeyi failed to meet a June 30, 2026 deadline to provide suitable alternative land under a land-swap agreement dating back to the controversial Temangalo transaction.

NSSF bought 463.87 acres from Arma Limited and Mr Nzeyi in 2008. The Fund says all six certificates of title covering the property are registered in its name.

“Following the expiry of the ultimatum, the Fund has commenced the process of applying to the High Court for the execution of the terms of the land swap by seeking the eviction of Mr Nzeyi from the 55 acres,” NSSF said.

The latest move could revive one of Uganda’s most contentious pension-fund investment controversies, which has generated political and legal battles since the land was purchased.

How the dispute started

Under a separate Memorandum of Understanding signed after the 2008 purchase, NSSF allowed Mr Nzeyi to temporarily retain 104.88 acres containing a farmhouse, paddocks and other developments.

In return, he was required to provide the Fund with suitable alternative land within six months.

NSSF says the alternative land subsequently offered by Mr Nzeyi did not meet the conditions of the agreement, leading to a dispute over the businessman’s continued occupation of the property.

The parties attempted to resolve the matter in October 2011. Under the proposed settlement, Mr Nzeyi would surrender 50 acres, reducing the land subject to the swap to 54.88 acres, while providing NSSF with 64.5 acres elsewhere.

The proposed arrangement, however, was rejected by the responsible minister.

The dispute was later referred to arbitration in February 2013.

According to NSSF, the arbitration award upheld the original terms, requiring Mr Nzeyi to provide land that was of equal value and suitability, adjacent to property already controlled by the Fund, appropriate for its planned housing development and free of squatters.

Despite the award, the dispute has remained unresolved for more than a decade.

NSSF says two independent assessments conducted since 2013 found that only 10 acres of the alternative land offered by Mr Nzeyi met the agreed requirements, leaving about 55 acres unresolved.

Ultimatum

In June this year, NSSF gave Mr Nzeyi until June 30 to provide suitable alternative land, warning that failure to comply would trigger enforcement action.

With the deadline having expired, the Fund says it is now seeking the High Court’s intervention to enforce the agreement and secure possession of the disputed land.

Mr Nzeyi’s lawyer, Mr Peter Kabatsi of Kampala Associates Advocates, appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Monday to respond to concerns over his client’s continued occupation of the land.

The committee is chaired by Muwanga Kivumbi and deputised by George Musisi.

Mr Kabatsi told the committee that his client remained willing to vacate the property if NSSF agreed to purchase the remaining portion of the land, which the Fund says does not meet the requirements of the land-swap agreement.

Alternatively, Mr Nzeyi has offered to refund the money NSSF paid for the disputed land.

The latest court action could mark a significant new phase in the Temangalo saga, which has followed NSSF since the 2008 purchase and repeatedly raised questions about the Fund’s management of members’ savings and the value derived from its investments.

NSSF maintains that the entire 463.87 acres purchased in 2008 belongs to the Fund and that it holds all six certificates of title.

“NSSF reaffirms its commitment to vigorously protecting the interests of its members, as well as its ownership rights and possession of the land at Temangalo,” the Fund said.