national 31 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Busoga Diocese Receives 8.6 Acres, Resolving 30-Year Land Dispute
A significant land dispute that has spanned three decades has been amicably resolved with the formal donation of 8.6 acres to the Busoga Diocese by the family of the late Yeremiya Bagiire. This resolution is being hailed as a major breakthrough for the Anglican diocese. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/three-decade-land-wrangle-ends-after-family-transfers-8-6-acres-to-busoga-diocese-5479886
A long-standing land wrangle in Buyende District, which had caused tension between Ngandho Primary School and the Church of Uganda for nearly 30 years, has finally come to an end. The family of the late Yeremiya Katoto and Yeremiya Bagiire has officially transferred 8.6 acres of land to the Busoga Diocese.
The land title was formally handed over to Bishop Grace Lubaale of the Busoga Diocese at a ceremony attended by church leaders and education officials. The donation fulfills the original vision of the family’s ancestors, who were instrumental in establishing both the church and the school in the area.
John Bagiire, representing the family, explained that his father, Yeremiya Bagiire, a former primary school teacher, founded the school in 1958. This followed the footsteps of his grandfather, Yeremiya Katoto, a catechist who established an initial church to foster spiritual growth and education. The family emphasized their commitment to development over disputes, urging the church to safeguard the donated land.
The Buyende District Education Officer, Dison Bwire, commended the family for their efforts in ensuring proper land ownership documentation, calling it a crucial achievement for the education sector. Local leaders expressed optimism that this resolution will foster greater harmony between the church and the school, which had been at odds over land ownership and usage.
Bishop Lubaale described the handover as a landmark moment for the Church of Uganda, anticipating it will bolster efforts to resolve similar property disputes across the diocese. The conflict reportedly arose after the original school was renamed Ngandho Primary School, leading to disagreements that persisted for decades. The bishop believes that addressing inadequate documentation and selfish interests is key to achieving stability in church land matters.
This resolution is expected to serve as a model for resolving similar protracted church-school land disputes throughout Uganda.