Findings rule out Buganda as owner of disputed Kayunga land

However, during a meeting with the stakeholders at the weekend, Mr Simon Peter Ssenfuka, the district surveyor at Mukono area regional land office, said the land belongs to the late Malachi Kalya. 

“As resolved during the last meeting we had on this matter, where I was told to do a search at Mukono area land office to establish the owner of this land, the contested land is a mailo land, and documents at the land registry show that it is for the late Kalya,” Mr Ssenfuka said.

The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Ssempala Kigozi, organised the meeting to find a solution to the impasse.

Brig James Kinaalwa, one of the claimants, Mr James Ssempigga, the kingdom chief for Bugerere County, Mr Ssebowa Kabali, a lawyer of the late Kalya’s family, Mr Fredrick Byekwaso, the deputy chief administrative officer, and other district officials, attended the meeting.

The disputed land is part of the 49 acres of land purportedly owned by Buganda. 

The land has kingdom structures, which were built in the 1930s that house Kayunga Sub-county offices.

However, Mr Ssempigga protested the findings, wondering how the kingdom built its structures back in the 1930s and Kalya’s family didn’t object to it.

“I think this is now a legal matter that should be handled by the kingdom legal department,” he said.

Brig Kinaalwa plans to construct a commercial building on the contested land, which sub-county authorities led by Mr Joshua Kampi, claim they obtained a lease offer from Uganda Land Commission.

Recently, a section of residents led by the sub-county speaker, Mr Steven Ssebaana, protested Brig Kinaalwa’s refusal to vacate the land as ordered by the chief administrative 0fficer, Ms Roseline Adong.

Brig Kinaalwa, who claims to have bought the land from Buganda Land Board (BLB) at Shs35m, asked late Kalya’s family to explain how the kingdom constructed its buildings on their land.

“For more than 90 years when Buganda’s buildings have been on this land, Kalya’s family has been quiet, only to come out today and claim ownership of this land. This act is questionable,” Brig Kinaalwa said.

The UPDF officer accused some residents of fighting development, an allegation Kayunga leaders deny.

Brig Kinaalwa has since fenced off the land and construction is ongoing.

However, Mr Kabali challenged Buganda to bring evidence to show that the contested land belongs to them.

“Having buildings on the contested land is not proof enough that this land belongs to Buganda. Let them bring evidence to back their claim,” he said.

Mr Dennis Bugaya, the BLB spokesperson, declined to comment on the matter.

Mr Kigozi urged parties to remain calm, saying another meeting will be held next week after surveying of the contested land.