Lawyer and managing partner at CR Amanya Advocates, Claire Amanya Rukundo Kakeeto has made a plea regarding a prolonged land dispute in Kigo, alleging bureaucratic negligence and corruption that have obstructed her efforts to reclaim her property.
In a statement shared on social media, Amanya expressed her emotional turmoil over the situation, appealing directly to influential figures in the legal community.
She reflected on her past association with AF Mpanga Advocates during her Legal Development Centre (LDC) clerkship, where she developed a deep respect for the firm’s leadership.
However, Amanya voiced her despair over the actions of Peter Brian Kaggwa of Events Warehouse, whom she accuses of attempting to illegally seize her land.
“I might have even contemplated giving up on that land and letting that land grabber keep it,” she lamented, emphasising the importance of her Kigo property, located along a major road and holding significant value.
Amanya revealed that the Buganda Land Board (BLB) has recognised the fraudulent acquisition of her land title and has issued a rectification and cancellation order.
Despite this, her efforts to resolve the matter have been stalled for over a year after the Minister of Land and Properties in Buganda, David Muwanga, called for mediation on the case.
“One year later... it remains locked up in your office drawer,” she stated, expressing frustration at the lack of progress despite her repeated follow-ups.
In her plea, Amanya recounted an official’s remark; “There is nothing we can do... these are orders from above,” leaving her feeling powerless in the face of systemic corruption.
She urged Minister Muwanga to release the file so the Buganda Land Board can proceed with canceling the fraudulent title, allowing her to reclaim her rightful ownership.
On October 19, 2023, the Buganda Land Board ordered the rectification of a controversial land title in Kigo Lunyna, citing significant discrepancies in ownership and illegal surveying.
The board issued a letter to Mr. Brian Peter, who had been granted a lease for 1.17 hectares (approximately 2.9 acres) on June 1, 2022.
In the letter, the Buganda Land Board stated, “It came to our notice that you caused a survey of a much bigger area than what you are entitled to,” adding that a purchase agreement submitted during his lease application indicated ownership of only 0.33 acres.
This raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of his land title and the intentions behind the acquisition.
The situation escalated following a complaint from Mrs. Rukundo Kakeeto, who asserts ownership of a Kibanja (informal landholding) within the disputed title that Peter has claimed as part of his property.
The board noted that this complaint compounded the issues surrounding Peter's claim.
Consequently, the Buganda Land Board demanded that Peter return his certificate of title within 15 days.
The board specified that he must also provide a consent letter for the subdivision and transfer of land to Kakeeto. The letter warns that “...in the alternative we will proceed with the cancellation of this title among other legal remedies available.”
Simon Kabogoza, Chief Executive Officer of the Buganda Land Board, emphasised the board's commitment to equitable land management practices.
“This rectification is necessary to uphold the integrity of land governance in the region.”
In a letter dated June 6, 2024, the Buganda Kingdom invited key parties to a mediation meeting regarding the ongoing land dispute.
This contested title for land located in Block 273, Plot 23121, and has drawn significant attention from local authorities and stakeholders.
In the letter, David Mpanga, the Minister for Land and Properties, addressed both Mrs. Rukundo Kaketo and Mr. Kaggwa Brian Peter, underscoring the importance of the meeting.
The invitation aimed to facilitate dialogue and seek a resolution to the ongoing land dispute, which has been marked by allegations of fraudulent title acquisition and conflicting ownership claims.
Kakeeto previously expressed her frustration over the situation, asserting her ownership of a kibanja within the disputed area that Peter has claimed as part of his property.
