The State Minister for Lands, Dr. Samuel Mayanja, has cancelled four land titles in Kakumiro District, including a 3-square-mile plot previously owned by former State Minister for Lands and Bugangayizi West MP, Dr. Baltazer Kasiliivu Atwooki.
The action follows concerns raised by the current State Minister for Transport and Bugangayizi West MP, Fred Byamukama, over escalating threats of land evictions in the area.
During a meeting in Kasenyi Parish, Kakiindo Sub-county, attended by over 500 residents, MP Byamukama accused his predecessor, Kasiliivu, of fraudulently acquiring land.
“The problems of land here started long ago. Mr. Kasiliivu, while serving as State Minister for Lands, used local leaders to allocate land titles improperly,” said Byamukama.
Byamukama explained that in 2007, Kasiliivu and District Councillor Bazaala allegedly subdivided and sold land secretly, leaving residents unaware that the plots they occupied had been allocated fraudulently. Some individuals involved were later arrested and detained.
Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Francis Kibuuka Amooti also appealed to Minister Mayanja to cancel all contested titles, warning that Kakumiro was “sitting on a time bomb” due to ongoing land disputes. He revealed that local leaders, including MP Byamukama, were facing threats from land grabbers.
Bugangayizi South MP Josephat Tumwesige highlighted a similar case in his constituency, where 1.86 square miles of land were allegedly acquired fraudulently by George William Lubega.
Minister Mayanja addressed residents on their land rights and subsequently ordered the cancellation of the four disputed titles, including the 3-square-mile plot owned by Baltazer Kasiliivu Atwooki, the 1.86-square-mile land belonging to George William Lubega, land belonging to District Councillor Bazaala, and land owned by Bamuturaki.
“All these land titles have been cancelled. My legal team will work with MP Byamukama to ensure residents are issued legitimate land titles,” said Mayanja.
“He abused the trust placed in him, and the law must catch up. No one is above the law,” he added.
