A fresh land dispute has emerged between the Buganda Kingdom and the government after Lands Minister Sam Mayanja questioned the Kabaka’s ownership of Kaazi land. The kingdom has strongly dismissed his assertions, maintaining that the land rightfully belongs to the Kabaka and warning against any attempts to alter its status.

Minister Mayanja recently alleged that the Buganda Land Board (BLB) was operating unlawfully and that its activities were undermining government efforts to manage public land. He cited complaints from individuals connected to the estate of H.H. Daudi Chwa II and Omulangira George William Mawanda, who accused the BLB of engaging in questionable land transactions.

Referencing two court cases Prince Kaleemera Another (Administrator of the Estate of the Late HRH Sir Daudi Chwa II) vs. the Kabaka of Buganda & Others (Civil Suit No. 535 of 2017) and Prince Kaleemera H. Kimera vs. Attorney General & the Kabaka of Buganda (Constitution Petition No. 9 of 2020) Mayanja argued that the ownership of certain properties within Daudi Chwa II’s estate had not been conclusively determined, warranting further investigation.

Buganda Kingdom’s Response

In a swift rebuttal, Buganda reaffirmed its ownership of Kaazi land and dismissed Mayanja’s allegations as unfounded. The kingdom clarified that the land situated on Block 273, Plot 5 was officially granted to the Kabaka under the 1900 Buganda Agreement and subsequently registered on June 22, 1923.

A statement from the kingdom explained:

“Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II did not own Kaazi land in his personal capacity but held it as Kabaka. It was later passed on to Ssekabaka Edward Muteesa and is now under Kabaka Mutebi II’s authority.”

Buganda also pointed out that land personally owned by Daudi Chwa II was registered in his name, Daudi Chwa, rather than H.H. Chwa II, which is a title reserved for the Kabaka.

Addressing concerns over the Uganda Scouts Association, Buganda explained that the land was leased to the organization in 1948 for 49 years, with clear conditions prohibiting any subleasing or transfer of ownership. However, following the 1966 abolition of kingdoms, the land was confiscated by the government and placed under the Uganda Land Commission (ULC).

Buganda insisted that under the 1993 Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act, the land was lawfully returned to the Kabaka. The kingdom further accused the Uganda Land Commission and the Scouts Association of unlawfully subleasing the land without authorization from Kabaka Mutebi II.

Buganda cited a 2020 court ruling in which the Kabaka successfully defended his ownership rights against Prince Kaleemera and others who falsely laid claim to the land.

The escalating dispute has sparked concerns over historical land ownership in Buganda, with Minister Mayanja openly questioning the legitimacy of the Buganda Land Board and the 1993 Restitution Act. His stance has fueled fears that the government may be attempting to reassert control over land that was returned to the kingdom.

As both parties remain firm in their positions, legal experts predict an extended battle over the matter, with potential implications for broader land ownership disputes in Uganda.