WAKISO: Kaazi residents, leaders oppose Minister Mayanja’s pronouncement on contested land

Wakiso, (UG):- Residents and leaders of Kaazi in Makindye Sabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District have strongly opposed Minister Sam Mayanja’s recent pronouncement regarding the ownership of the Kaazi Scouts land.

The Minister on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, declared that the contested land part of Block 273, Plot 5, belongs to the estate of the late Kabaka Daudi Chwa II, a claim that directly contradicts previous court rulings affirming its ownership by the Kabaka of Buganda.

In 2020, a court ruling by then Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija and another decision in the case of Kalemera Kimera vs. the Kabaka of Buganda confirmed that the land is under the Kabaka’s jurisdiction.

However, Minister Mayanja, citing a land title registered under H.H. Daudi Chwa II, asserted that the land rightfully belongs to Chwa’s estate, sparking outrage among locals and Buganda Kingdom authorities.

Pollycap Wagaba, a long-time Kaazi resident, dismissed the minister’s pronouncement as a misrepresentation of facts, arguing that all land registered under H.H. Chwa belongs to the Kabaka and not an individual estate.

“The minister presented a land title in the name of H.H. Daudi Chwa II, claiming it proves ownership by his estate. However, those of us familiar with the history know that Chwa’s personal land measured 150 square miles, not the 201 square miles the minister claimed. Additionally, the title ‘H.H.’—which stands for His Highness—was exclusively used for the Kabaka, not an individual,” Wagaba explained.

Kimera Edward, another resident, noted that locals have been paying busuulu (land rent) to the Buganda Land Board for years, reaffirming their belief that the land belongs to the Kabaka.

“The minister’s statement has caused confusion and fear. We oppose it unless officials from Mengo provide clarification. We will continue paying busuulu to the Buganda Land Board, but we urge Mengo to address this issue to protect bibanja holders from possible eviction,” he stated.

Ziwa Edward, chairman of the area’s Land Committee, criticized Mayanja’s unilateral decision, arguing that it violates natural justice since the Kabaka was not consulted before the announcement.

“I heard Phiona Barungi explain how they arrived at their conclusion, but there was no indication that the Kabaka was consulted. Even the so-called donation deed they reference could be forged,” he said.

“Besides, a court already ruled that the land belongs to the Kabaka. Is the minister above the High Court that he can unilaterally overturn a court ruling? As area leaders, we will formally write to Mengo seeking guidance on whether we should continue paying land dues to the Buganda Land Board or start paying the Chwa family instead,” Ziwa added.

Background on the Kaazi Scouts Land Dispute

The Scouts Association of Uganda got a lease to carry out its camping activities on land at Kaazi in 1948. The lease was issued by the late Sir Edward Muteesa II. However, as time went by, certain unscrupulous individuals through the scout association got themselves illegal leases on the land and started putting up developments on it, contrary to the original use as contained in the lease agreement between the Kabaka and Scouts.

Recognizing this violation, the Kabaka of Buganda petitioned the Commissioner of Land Registration, leading to a public hearing and the cancellation of all fraudulent land titles over the Kaazi land.

Following the cancellation, a group claiming to be descendants of the late Sir Daudi Chwa II petitioned Minister Mayanja, requesting him to reverse the Commissioner’s decision—a move Mayanja acted upon on March 5, 2025.

Legal experts warn that minister Mayanja has no authority whatsoever to reverse a court ruling and or that of the commissioner of land registration. They have warned that what Mayanja did was illegal and legally unenforceable.