The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development (MLHUD) of Uganda has successfully acquired land for residents in Mubende District as part of the government’s initiative to address widespread land disputes in the country.
Hon. Judith Nabakooba, the Minister of Lands, confirmed that the government had negotiated with landowner Mr. Kefa Ssempangi and reached an agreement to pay Shs 4 billion for his land in Nabingoola Sub-County.
“We are in the final stages of finalizing the deal. Once all necessary paperwork is completed by the technical team at the Uganda Land Commission (ULC), we will transfer the funds to his account,” she explained.
The land involved spans a total of 1,280 acres across two square miles located in Buwekula Block 273, Plot 8 in Kiteera, and Block 277, Plot 2 in the Kisanyusa-Kalagi estate. Each square mile is being purchased for Shs 2 billion.
However, local residents have raised concerns. They claim that Mr. Ssempangi had previously struck a deal with them in 2008, during which they paid Shs 39 million towards the land, only for the landlord to later assert that the title deed was missing.
“We intend to summon him to explain why he accepted payment from you and sold the same land to the government. We will pursue ways to recover your funds,” Minister Nabakooba assured the residents gathered in Kisanyusa village.
At the same time, Nabingoola Sub-County Chairperson Sam Kwizeera brought up another issue regarding another landowner, Paul Mafumu, who allegedly acquired more land than agreed, expanding from an initial one acre to 166 acres. Mafumu is reportedly threatening to evict residents who have been living on the land for over 50 years.
“We request that the residents of Kisanyusa Village be included in the Land Fund scheme. Our community has supported President Museveni, and they wish to secure their land under this peaceful government,” Kwizeera stated.
The locals also urged the government to intervene in the case of Felister Tankome, a landlord in Kiziizi village. Tankome is reportedly refusing ground rent payments from squatters and demanding Shs 2 million per acre, a price many cannot afford given their reliance on maize farming for their livelihoods.
In Kasambya, another landlord, Peter Magezi Ssinabulya, who owns 600 acres of land across two villages, has reportedly made arrangements with his squatters to purchase the titles at a price of Shs 1 million each.
However, squatter leaders like Mr. Fred Ntezimana, from Kabuwa Parish, expressed fear for their land’s future, claiming Ssinabulya had used the title as collateral for a Shs 100 million loan from a money lender.
“We are living in constant fear. Any moment, our land could be taken from us,” Ntezimana lamented.
Rev. Danson Muhumuza, parish priest of St. Paul Kabowa C.O.U., shared similar concerns, stating that the church could not proceed with building a new structure due to the uncertainty over the land.
MP Hope Grania Nakazibwe, representing Mubende District, assured the residents that although the Land Fund may not be sufficient to address all land conflicts in Uganda, she would lobby for a budget increase in Parliament.
“The Minister’s hands are tied with the limited funds. We are committed to advocating for a larger budget to resolve these issues,” Nakazibwe explained.
She encouraged the community to remain optimistic, promising that their land disputes would be addressed once the Land Fund receives a boost in funding.
Finally, in Kyabudde village, locals reported having paid a landlord but were subsequently denied access to their land title. Minister Nabakooba pledged to intervene, ensuring the residents would receive their rightful title after contacting the landlord.
