Makerere will not vacate Kabaka’s land
Jul 06, 2010
MAKERERE University has acknowledged that part of the land on which its main campus sits belongs to the Kabaka of Buganda and the leases expired, but said it will not vacate the property.
By Francis Kagolo
and Winnie Nanteza
MAKERERE University has acknowledged that part of the land on which its main campus sits belongs to the Kabaka of Buganda and the leases expired, but said it will not vacate the property.
Addressing a press conference at the university on Monday, vice-chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba identified the land whose leases expired as the stretch after the campus’ main gate.
It is currently occupied by the university mosque, Makerere Institute of Social Research, Complex hall and the Faculty of Law buildings. It could measure about three acres.
“These leases expired, having acquired them more than 60 years ago,†Baryamureeba said.
However, referring to the recently-passed Land Act aimed at protecting tenants, he said the Buganda Land Board will not evict them.
The Buganda Land Board recently reportedly wrote to the Ministry of Lands, asking the Government to return the land to the Kabaka, a move which if approved would cause the eviction of Makerere’s main campus.
The land was given away in 1942 by the then Buganda katikkiro (premier), Martin Luther Nsibirwa. The gesture caused Nsibirwa’s murder at Namirembe Cathedral in the 1950s.
The then colonial governor negotiated a settlement and secured a lease in the name of Makerere College Council and compulsorily acquired the stretch up to Bwaise for which a free-hold title was issued.
Baryamureeba also announced plans to develop the university’s land in Katanga and Makindye to protect it from encroachment and to generate revenue for the institution.
The university also confirmed that students will start receiving their transcripts about five months before they graduate.
and Winnie Nanteza
MAKERERE University has acknowledged that part of the land on which its main campus sits belongs to the Kabaka of Buganda and the leases expired, but said it will not vacate the property.
Addressing a press conference at the university on Monday, vice-chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba identified the land whose leases expired as the stretch after the campus’ main gate.
It is currently occupied by the university mosque, Makerere Institute of Social Research, Complex hall and the Faculty of Law buildings. It could measure about three acres.
“These leases expired, having acquired them more than 60 years ago,†Baryamureeba said.
However, referring to the recently-passed Land Act aimed at protecting tenants, he said the Buganda Land Board will not evict them.
The Buganda Land Board recently reportedly wrote to the Ministry of Lands, asking the Government to return the land to the Kabaka, a move which if approved would cause the eviction of Makerere’s main campus.
The land was given away in 1942 by the then Buganda katikkiro (premier), Martin Luther Nsibirwa. The gesture caused Nsibirwa’s murder at Namirembe Cathedral in the 1950s.
The then colonial governor negotiated a settlement and secured a lease in the name of Makerere College Council and compulsorily acquired the stretch up to Bwaise for which a free-hold title was issued.
Baryamureeba also announced plans to develop the university’s land in Katanga and Makindye to protect it from encroachment and to generate revenue for the institution.
The university also confirmed that students will start receiving their transcripts about five months before they graduate.