Museveni intervenes in Kayunga land row

_______________

President Yoweri Museveni has intervened in a land conflict after an aggrieved landlord petitioned him, citing Kayunga Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mariam Nalubega’s inability to resolve it.

Fredrick Mbagadhi Nkaayi, the commissioner for RDCs in the central region, was on Friday, May 9, 2025, afternoon sent from the Office of the President to settle the row over the disputed 14-acres.

Nkaayi chaired a meeting attended by landlord Hussein Zikusooka, Nalubega and Kayunga deputy RDC Solomon Baleke, village leaders and Ntooke residents.

The gathering at Ssezibwa Primary School included the 40 squatters currently staying on the contested land in Bukolooto parish, Kayunga sub-county in Kayunga district.

Zikusooka reminded those in attendance that in his first letter of January 10, 2025, to the Office of the President, he had clarified that Nalubega and the Ntooke LC1 chairperson falsely accused the landlord of illegal eviction of tenants.

"As a result of that letter, Nalubega in February called an impromptu meeting attended by various stakeholders, including the division Police commander, Grade I magistrate and LC5 chairperson. Unfortunately, Nalubega opted to just angrily criticise me for seeking her supervisors’ intervention in the land conflict," Zikusooka said.

According to Zikusooka, he had no intention of evicting squatters but rather helping them acquire titles upon purchase of their respective legal interests.

He ensured he attended with the persons who sold him the land and witnesses with relevant documentation.

Zikusooka narrated that the way the February meeting was handled left him with no option but to report back to the Office of the President through a letter on March 7.

Kayunga Grade I magistrate Andrew Muwonge welcomed the village meeting, saying it allowed all concerned parties to present their side of the case.

Wrong information

When asked by Nkaayi to substantiate the allegations against her, Nalubega told the meeting that all that was written about her was fabricated to tarnish her name.

"I was employed by my President, and I'm here to implement his directives. I know haters are doing their best, but I will continue doing what is right," Nalubega retorted.

Nalubega echoed Museveni’s message of no eviction of squatters from land they have occupied for over 10 years.

“I can assure you that during my tenure as RDC in Kayunga, no one will be forcibly pushed off their land. I only encourage squatters to endeavour to become full owners of their bibanja (plots) if they have the capacity,” she said.

According to her, those squatters on Zikusooka’s territory, who are unable to get ownership, should continue paying busuulu (land rent) as opposed to eviction.

Moses Ssekonde, a resident, claimed that due to numerous land wrangles in the local government, squatters can only be safe once they have total ownership of the land they reside on.

Fred Kibuuka, a squatter, acknowledged that Zikusooka is their landlord as he owns the title deed to the property.

“I just urge him to accept rent payments from the squatters. It would be good for all of us if we abide by the laws governing land ownership practices,” Kibuuka implored.

Nkaayi told the gathering that the major reason President Museveni sent him to Kayunga was to forge a win-win situation between the two warring parties that kept trading counter accusations.

“I appeal to you all to be calm, patient, and exhibit the spirit of brotherhood for peaceful coexistence. We don’t want to hear of people killing each other over land here,” he cautioned.

He thanked Zikusooka for his decision to seek a peaceful solution to the land conflict, other than resorting to violent confrontation with the squatters.

"We need to admit that the land has its owner, and the tenants are there. The law is clear that the kibanja holder must pay busuulu (rent). Let's comply with that in the meantime for the sake of coexistence," Nkaayi advised.