Families Petition Museveni Over Banda Land Dispute With Kyambogo University.

By PETER SSUUNA

Some of the family members who claim they were given land in Banda by Ssekabaka Muteesa II have appealed to President Museveni to help them regain ownership of their land, which they say was taken from them by Kyambogo University.

Led by Fahad Mugume, Keren Tusiima, and Boniface Kasolo, they allege that Kyambogo University grabbed part of their land using security agencies including the Police and the army. It is claimed that they acquired the land on August 20, 1954, when Prince George William Mawanda wrote on behalf of Muteesa II while he was in exile, giving it to them because they were his friends.

He gave 100 acres to Prince Paulo Kisawuzi Wavamunno, his blood brother Joseph Kyegalika, and Mubiru Ezekiel, located in Kireka Kyaddondo on FC17747 block 137 Plot; 37 in Buganda. They were ordered to pay a tribute of Shs 650 to the Kabaka on receipt 037, page 1582.

Mugume, a grandson of Joseph Nguliya Kyegalika, says his grandfather and those mentioned above obtained ownership of that land in Banda village, but since they passed away, the family has faced huge challenges in retaining it.

He said they were attacked in 2018 by armed officers and casual laborers who began destroying everything on the land. He narrated that even the historic houses of their grandfathers were knocked down, yet there was no court order.

Mugume says they later learned that Kyambogo University was behind the action. He stated that even when they ran to court, they got no help. He added that Kyambogo and the land commission forged land titles that incorporated their 100 acres, yet they were never consulted.

He said that even when they tried to report to police, they did not get justice. Instead, he claims, they were tortured heavily while their land was being razed.

He further says they have written to many offices including the Office of the Chief of Defense Forces, Parliament, the Ministers of Lands, and the Ministry of Education. He explained that after seeing everything fail, he decided to run to the office of the Presidential Assistant in charge of Government Services in Lungujja, Kisakyamukama Yiga.

They want him to deliver their issues to the President so they can get help.

In a meeting held at the Government Services office in Lungujja, Kisakyamukama said he was instructed by the President to investigate these issues, and some of his findings are below:

Kyambogo created a Freehold title over a Mailo title. He said the title they made in 2007 had no acreage indicated and no clear address. They made two titles: plot M842 reading Kyambogo University/Uganda Lands Commission, and M902, both made on the same day.

He said Kyambogo was established in 2003, yet the Kabaka had already given out this land in 1954. And if you look at the title they created, it even encloses the Kabaka’s palace in Banda.

He asked them to work together to maintain the good image of the Government and said that all findings will be taken directly to the President who sent him to follow up on these matters.

Kyambogo University spokesperson Jennifer Sibbo said the issues being raised were taken to court, and they are awaiting its decision.

End….