The State Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, has publicly declared his willingness to apologise to Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, signalling a dramatic shift from his previously combative posture towards the Buganda Kingdom.
Speaking emotionally during a Land Baraza in Nkokonjeru Town Council, Buikwe District, on Thursday, Minister Mayanja said he is "ready to kneel” before the Kabaka to seek forgiveness.
But the minister also called for accountability within the kingdom’s administration.
“I am ready to go, kneel, and apologise to the Kabaka himself,” Mayanja said, his voice cracking.
“But I will also ask him to chase away officials who misuse his name through the Buganda Land Board to evict people illegally.”
The minister, known for his controversial clashes with Mengo over land ownership and administration, shifted focus from the monarchy itself to what he called “self-serving elements” within the institution who exploit the Kabaka’s authority for personal benefit.
His remarks come weeks after the Kabaka’s legal team issued a notice of intention to sue the minister for alleged defamation and undermining lawful court rulings over the contested Kaazi land, officially owned by the Kingdom.
The legal notice cites a March 4 meeting at Kaazi where Mayanja reportedly made statements deemed contemptuous.
However, in Buikwe, the minister struck a more reconciliatory tone while remaining firm on fighting illegal evictions.
During the same forum, he ordered the arrest of David Kiwanuka, a resident of Ssi-Bukunja accused of forcefully evicting tenants from public land under false claims of ownership.
“This land belongs to the public. We cannot allow people to use deception or influence to displace ordinary citizens,” Mayanja said.
Buikwe South MP Dr. Lulume Bayiga called on the Lands Ministry to expedite issuance of land titles with stronger security features to stem rampant forgeries and land-related fraud.
Also weighing in, District Woman MP and Minister in the Office of the Vice President Diana Mutasingwa condemned unethical conduct within the Office of the RDC. She accused some officials of colluding with wealthy individuals to dispossess vulnerable communities of their land.
“Residents are often coerced into giving up part of their land in exchange for titles. But even after that, they’re denied ownership,” Mutasingwa said, demanding greater protections for Bibanja holders.
Responding to the allegations, newly appointed RDC Major David Matovu defended the integrity of the current office, saying operations are now guided by transparency and fairness.
The event comes amid growing tensions around land ownership and management across the central region, particularly on land historically associated with the Buganda Kingdom.