Buganda opposes land changes
Oct 23, 2007
THE Buganda kingdom has opposed an amendment on the Land Act intended to give tenants more protection. Attorney general Apollo Makubuya yesterday argued that the Government’s draft Land Amendment Bill, 2007 was intended to deprive the Kabaka and Baganda land owners of their rights.
By Apollo Mubiru
THE Buganda kingdom has opposed an amendment on the Land Act intended to give tenants more protection. Attorney general Apollo Makubuya yesterday argued that the Government’s draft Land Amendment Bill, 2007 was intended to deprive the Kabaka and Baganda land owners of their rights.
“The draft Bill will create further conflict, confusion and confrontation between landlords and tenants. It is also aimed at devaluing land, Buganda’s only precious asset,†Makubuya told the Lukiiko (parliament) chaired by deputy speaker Dr. Higiro Semajege.
Lands minister Omara Atubo last week presented amendments on the Land Act to the NRM caucus. According Atubo, the Bill seeks to enhance the security of land tenants.
“The Bill should be seen as part of the grand scheme to grab land in Uganda and Buganda in particular. What Obote achieved in stealing Buganda’s land with the use of the gun, this Government is achieving with the use of politics and the law,†Makubuya said.
He submitted that if the proposed law was passed and the land policies were implemented, land ownership in Buganda by landlords would be no more.
“A new class of land owners, hiding behind tenants and peasants, shall have triumphed.
“We must do all we can to stop the unfair and unjust laws that aim at ridding Buganda of her land,†the attorney general said.
The draft Bill proposes that tenants should only to be evicted under an order of court, which Makubuya said was in favour of tenants. Acting Katikkiro Emmanuel Sendaula had earlier remarked that the proposed amendments would cause more land clashes in Buganda.
“As we still grapple with the herdsmen wrecking havoc on our people, the Government has come up with an amendment on the Land Act which we think is not in favour of Buganda,†he said amidst clapping from Lukiiko members.
Buganda lands minister Katimbo Mugwanya urged MPs not to pass the Bill.
The Lukiiko urged the Government to consult Buganda on various legislations that directly affect the kingdom.
MPs Erias Lukwago (DP) and Hussein Kyanjo (JEEMA) attended. They were led to the meeting by the Nakaseke Woman MP Rose Namayanja (NRM).
THE Buganda kingdom has opposed an amendment on the Land Act intended to give tenants more protection. Attorney general Apollo Makubuya yesterday argued that the Government’s draft Land Amendment Bill, 2007 was intended to deprive the Kabaka and Baganda land owners of their rights.
“The draft Bill will create further conflict, confusion and confrontation between landlords and tenants. It is also aimed at devaluing land, Buganda’s only precious asset,†Makubuya told the Lukiiko (parliament) chaired by deputy speaker Dr. Higiro Semajege.
Lands minister Omara Atubo last week presented amendments on the Land Act to the NRM caucus. According Atubo, the Bill seeks to enhance the security of land tenants.
“The Bill should be seen as part of the grand scheme to grab land in Uganda and Buganda in particular. What Obote achieved in stealing Buganda’s land with the use of the gun, this Government is achieving with the use of politics and the law,†Makubuya said.
He submitted that if the proposed law was passed and the land policies were implemented, land ownership in Buganda by landlords would be no more.
“A new class of land owners, hiding behind tenants and peasants, shall have triumphed.
“We must do all we can to stop the unfair and unjust laws that aim at ridding Buganda of her land,†the attorney general said.
The draft Bill proposes that tenants should only to be evicted under an order of court, which Makubuya said was in favour of tenants. Acting Katikkiro Emmanuel Sendaula had earlier remarked that the proposed amendments would cause more land clashes in Buganda.
“As we still grapple with the herdsmen wrecking havoc on our people, the Government has come up with an amendment on the Land Act which we think is not in favour of Buganda,†he said amidst clapping from Lukiiko members.
Buganda lands minister Katimbo Mugwanya urged MPs not to pass the Bill.
The Lukiiko urged the Government to consult Buganda on various legislations that directly affect the kingdom.
MPs Erias Lukwago (DP) and Hussein Kyanjo (JEEMA) attended. They were led to the meeting by the Nakaseke Woman MP Rose Namayanja (NRM).