The Ministry of Lands has threatened to prosecute people it said were peddling false accusations against its officials. 

The ministry’s threat come amid a growing tension with some residents of Sukuta whose home were destroyed in a land dispute in Salaji. 

The demolition happened last year, resulting in scuffle between those homeowners and the police.

Buba Sanyang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, said: “We have engaged the people of Sukuta and there was a taskforce and this taskforce was as a result of allegation levied against the ministry of some of their employees that they have been selling lands in Salaji. 

“I personally wrote to the police and informed them that if this is true, any staff that’s found with evidence that he had sold [a land] will be punished as the law requires, but if they cannot substantiate that then anybody who alleged against these staff will also be prosecuted.”

“It has to be both ways, we cannot sacrifice and work for government on this difficult job where you come in confrontation with people.”  

Mr Sanyang urged anyone who feels offended “to take his or her case to the courts” saying “there are courts here and people have gone to courts and won against government”. 

“If you think you have a right, take your matters to the courts. You cannot sit in the bush and say we are going to stay here and then whoever comes we will kill each other,” PS Sanyang said. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba