By KT Reporter
The Minister of State for Lands, Sam Mayanja, on Friday closed the 2025 National Land Awareness Week in Mbale City, pledging to personally respond to petitions received from land actors, local governments, and citizens. “I have listened and received a number of petitions from various groups. I pledge to respond to all of them. Not one will be left out,” the minister said firmly.
The week marked a milestone for residents of the Bugisu and Sebei regions, with 1,754 land titles issued. The 9th annual event, organized by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in partnership with district local governments and civil society actors, was hosted across seven districts of the Elgon Sub-region—Manafwa, Mbale City, Bududa, Bulambuli, Sironko, Kapchorwa, and Kween.
The week’s theme was “Promoting Land Rights and Sustainable Land Use for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.” Minister Mayanja addressed the high-profile Kakugulu land issue, a matter of public concern. He confirmed that negotiations with landowners have begun and that the Uganda Land Commission is working to determine the size of the land. “I urge the tenants on that land to remain calm and wait for communication from RACC. Whether Kakungulu descendants have titles or not, you are not affected. The land belongs to you,” he said, emphasizing that the land originally belonged to the tenants and was not brought by Kakungulu.
Among the petitions submitted were notable cases highlighting persistent land disputes in the region. In Bwehonge Sub-county, Bulambuli District, Matingo John, LCII Chairman, filed a petition on behalf of over 200 residents across four villages. The petition alleges that individuals from outside the area illegally acquired a leasehold title for over 297 acres in 2023 (Plots 443 and 444, Block 4, Nivurambuli) through collusion with members of the Area Land Committee.
The alleged culprits include the Watera family from a different sub-county called Simo. In Mbale District, Nalyongo Pascal Watiti of Manafwa District faces two lawsuits in Mbale High Court over a single property of approximately 12 acres on Busibo Hill, purchased in phases between 1993 and 2016 from a now-deceased vendor.
Despite full payment being confirmed to the police before the vendor’s death, relatives led by Waluhu James Wapipi claim ownership. Mr. Watiti asserts that these relatives were not involved in the original agreements and have no evidence of ownership.
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