Mbarar – The Ankole Kingdom burial ground in Nkokonjeru Cell, Mbarara City North Division, home to the graves of deceased royal family members since the 1940s, has fallen victim to ongoing land disputes.
Alleged buyers claim they acquired the land from Prince John Barigye in the 1970s, though royal family members argue the transactions were flawed and have called for government intervention.
David Nuwabiine, a royal family member, told Nile Post that “a lot of mistakes were made by Prince Barigye, and we are seeing claims that people bought land from him.”
Nuwabiine expressed doubt over the authenticity of the titles, urging the government to halt further sales and, if feasible, consider compensating those involved.
He lamented the desecration of the royal burial ground, noting, “Some graves have been demolished over time, and others are now in areas occupied by non-family members claiming agreements from Prince Barigye’s initial buyers.”
Willis Asiingwire, LC1 Chairman of Nkokonjeru Cell, confirmed that many current occupants are not the original buyers from Prince Barigye.
“Some occupants were given permission, but they are now third or fourth buyers. The government recently took some documents for investigation,” he added.
Jacqueline Nyirakiza Besigye, Acting Commissioner for Museums and Monuments at the Ministry of Tourism, revealed that about three hectares of the burial ground have been lost to encroachment.
She explained, “Last year, the Ministry of Lands surveyed the area, finding only 1.7 hectares remaining out of an original 4.5 hectares.”
Documents allegedly signed by Prince Barigye are currently under forensic investigation to verify their authenticity, with results expected in two months.
Nyirakiza emphasized that no further developments are allowed on the disputed land, except for construction of washrooms to accommodate visiting school groups and tourists.
The Ankole Kingdom was abolished in 1967 by the Obote government, with the NRM government often criticized for its neglect of Ankole's cultural heritage until renovation efforts at Mugaba Palace began in 2018.
The royal family and the Ankole community await the government’s next steps in preserving this cultural site, hoping for a resolution that respects their heritage and the legacy of the Ankole Kingdom.