Museveni halts illegal eviction of bibanja holders, orders return of excessive ‘Busuulu’ collected

Kampala, (UG):- President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed landlords to cease the illegal eviction of bibanja holders and return any excessive nominal rent fees (busuulu) collected, or face arrest.

Speaking at the 35th Heroes’ Day celebrations on June 9, in Gomba District, President Museveni emphasized that landlords must adhere to the district-agreed busuulu fees.

“Landlords charging more than the district-approved busuulu fees must return the excess amounts. Any attempts to evict bibanja holders will result in arrests. We must enforce what was agreed in the Constituent Assembly and the Land Act of 1998,” said Museveni.

During the celebrations held at Mpenja Church of Uganda Primary School playgrounds, the President recounted that the issue of landlords and bibanja holders was resolved in the Constituent Assembly and reaffirmed in the 1998 Land Act. He noted that landlords cannot evict kibanja holders who have been on the land since 1983, only charging a nominal rent fixed by district land boards.

“We said a landlord has no power to evict a kibanja person especially the one who was on that plot of land (Kibanja) by 1983. The only thing was to provide some nominal rent (busuulu) and that was to be fixed by the district land boards. The landlords must accept what we agreed in 1995 because Idi Amin had actually abolished mailo land but we restored ownership in order to allow a win-win situation, but these landlords don’t listen to the NRM and they think it’s a joke,” the President emphasised.

The LC5 chairperson for Gomba District, Mr Kiviiri Geoffrey, reported that the approved nominal fee is Shs10,000 per year, but landlords’ refusal to accept this has led to increased land disputes.

Museveni proposed that if landlords refuse the rent, it should be held at the sub-county. “Maybe what we have to resolve in the NRM parliamentary caucus is to provide that if the landlords don’t accept the rent fees, it (rent) should be taken and kept at the sub-county. All this suffering is not following what was put in the law,” he directed.

Museveni tasked the Resident District Commissioner of Gomba, Ms. Harriet Nakamya, to document those threatened with eviction and resolve the disputes with landlords. Additionally, Lands Minister Hon. Judith Nabakooba distributed land titles to 446 Kanoni residents through the government’s Land Fund.

The President also highlighted the success of the 1981-1986 liberation war, attributing it to the principles of the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M). He underscored the importance of patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy in their victory.

Museveni reiterated his call for Ugandans to fight poverty by adopting the NRM’s wealth creation initiatives. He detailed the four-acre model for farming and emphasized the benefits of government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.

Moreover, Museveni directed the new Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, to enhance local policing by deploying 18 officers per sub-county and improving communication networks to curb crime effectively.

At the event, 49 distinguished individuals received medals for their contributions to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, including Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Jumah Al Maktoum from the UAE.

President Museveni also honored the sacrifices of freedom fighters and thanked those who supported the revolution.

The event was also attended by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo,  the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the NRM First National  Vice Chairman, Alhajj Moses Kigongo, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rt.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, ministers, Judiciary officials, Members of Parliament, the leadership of security agencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, religious and cultural leaders, among others.