Government Steps In Over Illegal Sale of Lugazi Catholic Church Land

The Ugandan government has taken decisive action regarding the unauthorized sale and encroachment of church property within Mukono District. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja updated Parliament during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth, confirming that nine individuals have been apprehended.

The intervention follows concerns raised by Nakifuma County Member of Parliament, Hon. Sulaiman Kiwanuka, concerning the contested 101-acre estate belonging to St. Kizito Kayini Sub-Parish of the Lugazi Catholic Diocese. The conflict drew widespread attention after St. Kizito’s Parish priest, Fr. Anthony Kizito, filed a formal complaint at Naggalama Police Station following an incident of alleged criminal trespass.

According to the Prime Minister, the arrested suspects claim legitimacy as multigenerational mailo landholders. Authorities found that portions of the acreage were allegedly sold between March and May of this year. Historical records indicate the property was originally donated to the Catholic Church by the Buganda Kingdom.

Out of the total acreage, 29 acres are currently occupied by squatters, and the church had recently initiated formal documentation processes to secure the property. Local leaders, including the Mukono Resident District Commissioner and the Kasawo Sub-county LC III Chairperson, previously stepped in to conduct fact-finding missions.

Reiterating the administration’s stance, Prime Minister Nabbanja assured lawmakers that the state is dedicated to safeguarding institutional properties from unlawful land grabbers. With the police case file officially sanctioned, the suspects are slated to appear in court shortly to face charges related to the encroachment.

Read more on the Parliament of Uganda.