The Buganda Kingdom has recovered nearly all of its land titles from the central government, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the 2013 agreement between President Yoweri Museveni and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
The agreement, signed to resolve longstanding disputes over the Kingdom’s properties and financial claims, committed the government to return Buganda’s land titles and other assets that had remained under state control. Following its signing, President Museveni directed Cabinet to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the agreed commitments.
Over the years, the government has progressively returned the Kingdom’s properties, with nearly all land titles now handed back. As the process approached completion, only about 24 land titles were still awaiting transfer to the Buganda Kingdom.
In addition to addressing property ownership, the 2013 agreement also tackled the government’s financial obligations to the Kingdom. At the time, the outstanding debt was estimated at approximately Shs556 billion. Through a series of payments made over the years, the balance has reportedly been reduced to about Shs54 billion, reflecting continued efforts to honour the agreement.
Officials from the Buganda Kingdom have welcomed the progress, describing it as a major step towards resolving one of the Kingdom’s longest-running property disputes with the central government. They noted that the return of the land titles demonstrates a growing commitment by both parties to fulfil the terms of the agreement.
While a small number of land titles and part of the financial settlement remain outstanding, discussions between the Kingdom and the government continue as both sides work towards completing the implementation process.
The return of the land titles and the gradual settlement of the outstanding financial obligations are widely seen as strengthening cooperation between the Buganda Kingdom and the central government, while helping to address historical concerns surrounding the Kingdom’s land and property rights.
