The Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, has issued firm directives suspending all activities on disputed land in Nakaseke District. She instructed Resident District Commissioner (RDC) RoseMary Byabashaija to carry out a thorough investigation and submit a report within one month.
The minister made the announcement during land meetings held on April 30 in Muwaluzi Village, Butalangu Town Council, and Wabitunda Village, Kiwoko Town Council.
“This will help us ascertain details on this land. Let all Bibanja holders and landlords submit their documents to guide the next steps. I have stopped all those claiming to be landlords from returning to the land until matters are resolved,” Nabakooba stated.
She further directed the District Police Commander to ensure that no landlords return to the disputed land and that security is provided to the affected residents.
The land under contention lies on Block 321 plots 2, 3, 4 and Block 784 in Bulemeezi County.
According to Charles Kazungu, Chairperson of Muwaluzi Village, the land in Butalangu Town Council measures 640 acres, covering both Muwaluzi A and B villages. Disputes date back to 2020, following visits by officials from both the Buganda and Bunyoro Kingdoms, each claiming ownership. Buganda officials reportedly collected ground rent (Busuulu) from residents.
Kazungu explained that many of the squatters settled on the land after the 1980s NRA guerilla war, under the impression that it was public land. However, a Mailo land title surfaced, indicating that the land belongs to the Buganda Kingdom.
“I applied for a land title assuming it was public land. District Land Board officials had guided us on tax payment procedures, reinforcing our belief that it was public land,” Kazungu added.
The area mayor raised concerns over the authenticity of the titles presented by the so-called landlords, noting that they claimed to have lost the original and instead held a special title.
“Residents have freehold land titles totaling 60 acres, yet these landlords claim ownership of the entire square mile, supposedly under Block 580, which does not match what’s on the ground,” the mayor said
In Wabitunda, land disputes reportedly involve an Indian landlord and land administrator William Mwambazi, who residents claim colluded to take over the land. The disputed land allegedly has a lease title subdivided into eight subleases, expiring in 2035.
Residents allege harassment, including destruction of crops, arrests, and forceful eviction. Among those affected is Margaret Nalubega, a six-acre landowner, who claimed she signed an agreement with landlords who promised her a title that she has not received.
“I have three grandchildren and nowhere to grow food. All my gardens were destroyed,” she told the minister tearfully.
Nakaseke Senior Land Management Officer Geoffrey Tumusiime questioned the legitimacy of the titles, suggesting they may be forged or improperly issued. He committed to following up on the issue.
RDC RoseMary Byabashaija pledged to expedite the investigation and lauded Minister Nabakooba for engaging directly with the affected communities.
Sarah Najjuma, Nakaseke District Woman MP, urged the minister to seek Government intervention to buy land for the affected residents, referencing successful land fund interventions in Kapeeka.
At the conclusion of the meetings, Minister Nabakooba announced that she was assuming authority to oversee boundary openings on land with encumbrances. She also revealed that a committee within the Ministry of Lands would be formed to supervise the issuance and cancellation of special land titles.
