FDC backs Buganda on land reforms

Nov 12, 2007

FORUM for Democratic Change (FDC) chief electoral commissioner Rtd. Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga has backed the Buganda Kingdom in opposing the proposed land amendments by the Government.

By Josephine Maseruka

FORUM for Democratic Change (FDC) chief electoral commissioner Rtd. Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga has backed the Buganda Kingdom in opposing the proposed land amendments by the Government.

He cautioned the Government against interfering in the kingdom’s land system, which he said bound the tenant (kibanja holder) and the landlord.

“The Baganda have a point. They have depended on their land to develop. To change the law to bring the Baganda in conformity with other regions is unfair.”

Addressing a weekly press briefing at the party headquarters at Najjanankumbi yesterday, Ruranga said land owners in Buganda had allowed the landless to use part of their land by paying an annual land fee (obusuulu).
He advised the Government to consult the kingdom and other stakeholders on the land amendments.

“There are times when I wonder why I joined mercenaries in the liberation struggle. Just go to Luweero and Kiboga and see who owns square miles of land. It is army officers,” Ruranga said.
“Some of them have persuaded me to join the land bonanza but I have refused. Were there no land owners in Luweero and Kiboga? Did we liberate Ugandans to grab their land? These people must justify how they got land in these districts.”

Ruranga also announced that Abdu Katuntu was the FDC candidate for the Bugweri MP seat. He will be nominated tomorrow.

He added that the party was considering suing the Government for failing to conduct elections for local councillors.

Officials of the Buganda Kingdom last week opposed the proposed land amendments presented to the National Resistance Movement caucus recently.

According to the Government, the land amendments are aimed at protecting tenants from unlawful eviction by landlords. But the kingdom officials argued that the move is aimed at grabbing its land.

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