'Grandchildren partly to blame for land conflicts'

_____________________

Lands minister Judith Nabakooba has said grandchildren are partly to blame for the rampant cases of land conflicts among family members.

She said such conflicts make the would-be beneficiaries of properties vulnerable and they end up locked in conflicts which oftentimes claim their lives.

“We have seen scenarios where a grandchild turns the gun on the children of the deceased owner of the estate and they want to benefit using force,” Nabakooba said, claiming that is the root cause of people killing each other.

The minister made the remarks at Bukalamagi Parish in Gomba district last Sunday during the official unveiling of a renovated administration block, where she represented Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa as the chief guest.

Lands minister Judith Nabakooba. (Photo credit: Lands ministry)

Notably, Uganda has been grappling with land conflicts, ranging from land grabbers fraudulently acquiring land, forceful evictions, and battles between landlords and squatters after the latter refusing the ground rent, commonly known as busuulu.

“We appeal to our dear religious leaders to teach followers the gospel that ends land conflicts, showing how those fighting for properties of the deceased can find other avenues of alleviating from poverty,” appealed Nabakooba.

Latest Police data shows that a total of 397 cases of land-related crimes were reported in 2024, up from 271 the previous year.

This gives a 46.5 per cent increase in the crimes reported in this category, the 2024 Annual Crime Report says.

By the end of 2024, a total of 64 cases were taken to court, 103 not proceeded with while 230 were still under inquiry by the time of compiling the report.

Out of the total cases taken to court, 12 were convictions, five acquittals, four dismissed and 43 were still pending.

'PDM has changed lives'

Meanwhile, Nabakooba also used the occasion to urge the faithful to tap into government poverty alleviation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, which reach directly to the grassroots in their parishes.

She underscored the power of PDM, stressing that it has changed the lives of low-income earners who used it appropriately.

“PDM has changed lives in many areas where people took it seriously. You can also use the same means to set up daily income-generating projects."

Sunday's function was graced by different dignitaries, including clerics, political leaders, government officials, and church goers. It started with prayers led by Fr Emmanuel Kiganda, the parish priest.

The unveiled facility houses the archives office and the parish priest’s office.

Tayebwa contributed sh5m to support the church in organizing the function. He also urged the public to embrace government programmes and transform their lives.

“I congratulate the church for completing the regeneration of the dilapidated building and bringing it back to standard. Support the National Resistance Movement, which has brought socio-economic programs for impoverished families."

On his part, Fr Kiganda thanked the church and individuals such as Tayebwa for their immense contribution towards the renovation of the building.