The Buganda Kingdom has instructed its external lawyers to take legal action against the State Minister for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja, over his declarations and statements regarding the Kaazi land dispute, Attorney General Christopher Bwanika has confirmed.
Last week, Minister Mayanja directed the cancellation of all land titles on the contested Kaazi land. His directive was issued during a public hearing at Kaazi, where various stakeholders—including members of the late Kabaka Daudi Chwa’s family, bibanja holders, surveyors, representatives of the Uganda Scouts Association Trustees, and investors presented their claims.
Mayanja explained that the Ministry had received a petition from the beneficiaries of the estates of His Highness Daudi Chwa and Omulangira George William Mawanda, who claimed ownership of the land. The petition also alleged illegal transactions involving the Uganda Scouts Association and implicated the Buganda Land Board Limited.
Investigations revealed that in 1938, a year before his death, Kabaka Daudi Chwa II donated a portion of his Kaazi estate to the Boy Scouts of Uganda through a Deed of Donation dated June 7, 1938.
“He donated 100 acres to the Scouts of Uganda under a leasehold arrangement. Upon expiry of the lease, the 100 acres were to be transferred to the Scouts under mailo tenure, allowing them to own it in perpetuity. The remaining 20 acres were to be transferred to his heir. This donation was made in the best interests of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides of Uganda to ensure their activities would not be disrupted by future generations,” Mayanja stated.
Mayanja issued several directives, including the deregistration of Buganda Land Board Limited. He ordered the Registrar of Companies to deregister the board, arguing that its 2015 registration as a private company misleadingly presented it as the statutory body established under the Uganda Independence Act of 1962.
“The Kingdom of Buganda has instructed its external lawyers to take legal action to challenge Hon. Dr. Sam Mayanja’s declarations, statements, and actions, particularly the meeting of March 4, 2025, at Kaazi. These actions are in contempt of court and disregard the law, and we seek legal relief for the Kingdom,” Bwanika stated.
Overview of the Kaazi Land Dispute
In response to the minister’s directives, the Buganda Kingdom clarified that Kaazi land, located on Block 273, Plot 5, is part of the 350-acre estate allocated to the Kabaka of Buganda under the 1900 Agreement.
The land title was created on June 22, 1923, initially registered under FC 18454 and later recorded in the Mailo Register Volume (MRV) 269, folio 25. When the block and plot system for mailo registration was introduced, the land was registered in the name of H.H. Chwa II.
“In 1948, the Kabaka of Buganda leased the land to the Uganda Scouts Association for a 49-year term starting July 1, 1948. The lease was strictly for scouting and camping purposes and prohibited the Scouts Association from subdividing or subleasing the land. This lease was registered under instrument number 81336 in leasehold register volume LRV 236, folio 7,” the Buganda Kingdom stated.
Following the attack on Lubiri in Mengo on May 24, 1966, and the exile of Ssekabaka Edward Frederick Luwangula Muteesa II, the central government abolished kingdoms and confiscated their estates, including the Kabaka’s mailo land. The land was placed under the Uganda Land Commission per Article 108 of the 1967 Constitution.
Currently, the Buganda Land Board manages the land, which was returned to the Kabaka of Buganda in 1993 under the Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act. The land is legally vested in the Kabaka.
Buganda Kingdom’s Position
The Buganda Kingdom argues that the Uganda Land Commission and the Scouts Association illegally engaged in land dealings by creating multiple subleases without the Kabaka’s consent. The Kabaka successfully petitioned the Commissioner of Land Registration, leading to the cancellation of these illegal lease titles.
In 2020, the Kabaka won a court case against Prince Kalemeera and others who falsely claimed ownership of the land. Consequently, it is undisputed that the land rightfully belongs to the Kabaka.
“It is important to note that Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II did not own the Kaazi land in his personal capacity. He held it as Kabaka. This land was passed on to Ssekabaka Edward Muteesa II and is now held by Kabaka Mutebi II. While Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II owned some land personally, such land was registered under the name ‘Daudi Chwa,’ not ‘H.H. Chwa II.’ The title ‘H.H.’ (His Highness) is exclusive to the Kabaka,” the Buganda Kingdom emphasized.
