Buganda petitions land commission over Kibuule land

The Buganda Land Board (BLB) has written to the registrar of Uganda Land Commission (ULC) seeking for the cancelation on title deeds of the land allegedly grabbed by state minister for water and also MP Mukono North Ronald Kibuule.

According to BLB legal manager, Denis Buyaga, the land in question belongs to the Buganda kingdom.

"This land was part of the properties which were returned by the central government. We know there are some people who hold fake title deeds on that land, but we pray that the land commission nullifies them," he said.

Buyaga added that the board is holding the original title of the said land in Kigaya-Golomolo village Najja sub-county Buikwe district.

"There are about 605 acres of land in that area which are officially managed by BLB. The minister claims to own 85 acres. This is Kabaka's land and we have titles to that effect," Buyaga told journalists after meeting the residents at Bulange- Mengo, Kampala on Wednesday.

This comes after Kibuule in August sealed off Kigaya-Golomolo village and told the residents to leave.

Buyaga urged the affected tenants to register their land with BLB offices in Buikwe.

"There are about 1,000 people on this disputed land but only 200 have registered with us. Those who have not registered should hurry and register. There are tenants who have gone to court, we are studying the case and will see how we can be part of it," Buyaga said.

The residents also stormed BLB offices seeking to know the rightful owner of the land on which they have been staying for decades.

Farooq Ssenabulya, the group leaders told the New Vision that there were some guards on the land who had stopped them from carrying out any activity.

"We have been stopped from mining sand and practicing agriculture on the land yet BLB had earlier assured us that they own the land. So we have come affirm from them rightful owner of the property," he said.

On October 12, Kibuule while at his home at Mbalala in Mukono district insisted the land belongs to him.

Displaying photocopies of the alleged title deed and the sale agreement, Kibuule vowed to die protecting "his land".

"I bought the land from Musa Katongole who got it from Namasole as a gift. If Buganda kingdom has proof of ownership of the land, we can sit and have a way forward. Should they decide to go to court, then we shall meet there," Kibuule said.