Junior Lands Minister Sam Mayanja has stopped individuals claiming to be landlords from forcing tenants to pay illegal charges and attempting to evict them from land located on Block 244, Plots 8805 and 3417 in Kiwafu B Zone and Heritage Zone, Kansanga Parish in Makindye Division.
The minister’s visit followed an outcry from residents who reported the matter to the Makindye Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Mac Bayingana.
Among those claiming ownership were Fatuma Abdallah, a granddaughter of Muhamood Muzungu, and some family members, who allegedly tried to expel residents from their bibanja.
“We have suffered since 2004. Different people keep coming here demanding between two and three million shillings, saying we must pay them to recognize us as tenants,” residents told the minister.
“But when it comes to negotiating busuulu, they disappear. Even the money we paid was never receipted, so we fear they may deny us anytime.”
The Muzungu family, through their lawyer Kagwa Abdul, insisted they are the rightful landowners.
“We are not here to evict anyone. We only want to streamline the tenancy process and ensure everything is done legally,” he said.
RCC Bayingana accused the family of providing conflicting information.
“They approached us claiming they wanted to process leasehold, but they have no structures or developments on the land they say is theirs,” he said. He warned that, “If they do not come forward to formally process leasehold, I will have them arrested.”
Presidential Assistant on Anti-Corruption, Rebecca Atwine, condemned corruption among land officials who use government offices to extort or grab people’s bibanja.
“Whoever is caught will face the law immediately,” she vowed.
Minister Mayanja also educated landlords and tenants about their legal responsibilities and reminded them of the Presidential Directive barring landlords from evicting bibanja holders.
“The law is clear: bibanja holders cannot be chased off land. Anyone who refuses to come forward for proper tenancy procedures and continues to harass residents must be arrested,” he directed.
He instructed RCC Bayingana and security officers to ensure no tenant is evicted and warned those demanding illegal payments that they would be charged with land fraud.
Meanwhile, he encouraged bibanja holders to continue using their land without fear.
“Do not be intimidated. This land is your livelihood, and the law protects you,” he assured them.