By Mulengera Reporters
A Luganda proverb says, “history has a way of repeating itself,” and in Uganda, land disputes are never far from the headlines.
In a bold and unprecedented move, State Minister for Lands, Hon. Sam Mayanja, has directed the cancellation of the Kabaka of Buganda’s title over Kaazi National Camping Site, arguing that it was fraudulently acquired and must be restored to its rightful owners, the estate of the late Kabaka Daudi Chwa II and the Uganda Scouts Association.
The no nonsense minister’s directive follows an extensive investigation that, according to him, uncovered manipulation of land records, illegal transfers, and deliberate misrepresentation of ownership history.
He asserts that the land was originally private mailo owned by Daudi Chwa II, but individuals within Buganda Land Board (BLB) altered its status to official mailo, enabling them to transfer it to the Kabaka under the Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act, 1993.
“This Act was meant to restore land confiscated from traditional rulers by the state in 1967, not private mailo land,” Mayanja explained. “Kaazi land never belonged to Buganda Kingdom, but was personal property of Daudi Chwa II. What happened here was a fraudulent conversion of private land into official mailo, and we are correcting that injustice.”
In his directive to the Commissioner for Land Registration, Mayanja ordered the removal of the Kabaka’s name from the land title and its restoration to the estate of Daudi Chwa II. He further instructed that 100 acres be issued to the Uganda Scouts and Girl Guides Association, as per Chwa’s 1938 deed of donation, and 20 acres be transferred to Chwa’s heir, Prince Namugala Mawanda Chwa.
Additionally, he called for the deregistration of Buganda Land Board Limited, describing it as a private company falsely claiming to be a successor to the 1962 statutory Buganda Land Board. He also directed the government to halt any compensation claims by BLB and recover any funds already paid.
Supporting Mayanja’s position, Senior Presidential Assistant on Special Duties, Phiona Barungi, did not mince her words. She condemned those who, she said, had taken advantage of President Museveni’s leadership to enrich themselves at the expense of the people.
“This land where we are now was acquired falsely. I call that theft,” Barungi stated. “People are using their freedom under President Museveni’s leadership to serve their own interests instead of the people he went to the bush to fight for.”
Buganda Kingdom, however, has rejected Mayanja’s directive, insisting that Kaazi land rightfully belongs to the Kabaka.
Buganda Land Board (BLB) spokesman, Dennis Bugaya, dismissed the minister’s claims, stating that it was Buganda Kingdom that leased the land to the Scouts in 1948. “Everyone in this country, except Minister Mayanja, knows that this Kaazi land belongs to the Kabaka,” Bugaya said.
He further accused Mayanja of intentionally undermining Buganda Kingdom, arguing that he lacks the authority to cancel land titles. “If he has a case, let him take it to court instead of making public pronouncements that incite people against the Kabaka and Buganda Kingdom,” he added.
Mayanja’s directive is part of his broader campaign to restore order in Uganda’s land governance system, which he says has been plagued by fraud, illegal acquisitions, and manipulative land dealings.
His latest move is bound to ignite a fierce legal and political battle, but the minister remains resolute.
“The people of Uganda must know the truth. This land was never Buganda Kingdom’s. It was private mailo owned by Daudi Chwa II, and we’re simply correcting a historical injustice,” he clarified.
Whether this matter will be resolved through legal channels, or it will escalate into a deeper political confrontation remains to be seen, One certain is that Mayanja is not backing down. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
