Government Steps In Over Illegal Sale of Lugazi Catholic Church Land

The Ugandan government has intervened in a land dispute involving St. Kizito Kayini Sub-Parish of the Lugazi Catholic Diocese in Mukono District. Nine suspects have been arrested and are facing charges related to criminal trespass and the illegal sale of church property.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja disclosed the arrests during a plenary sitting of Parliament chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth. Her statement came in response to concerns raised by Nakifuma County Member of Parliament, Hon. Sulaiman Kiwanuka, regarding the contested 101-acre property.

According to parliamentary records, the dispute escalated when a group led by Nelson Okello Alfred allegedly trespassed on the property. Fr. Anthony Kizito, the parish priest, subsequently filed a formal complaint at Naggalama Police Station. Investigations revealed that the suspects claimed ownership as generational mailo landholders and sold portions of the acreage to Okello between March and May 2026.

Historical records indicate that the disputed land was originally donated to the Catholic Church by the Buganda Kingdom. Out of the total acreage, 29 acres are occupied by squatters, and the church has been working to properly document the estate.

Prime Minister Nabbanja commended local leaders, including the Mukono Resident District Commissioner and the Kasawo Sub-county LC III Chairperson, for conducting fact-finding meetings to de-escalate the conflict. She emphasized that the government remains resolute in protecting institutional and church properties from unlawful encroachment.

With the police case file fully sanctioned, the detained suspects are expected to appear in court shortly to answer to the charges.

Read more details on the Parliament of Uganda.