The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has formally charged seven individuals accused of attempting to illegally seize 120 acres of land at Kaazi, a historic and contested site leased to the Uganda Scouts Association, but legally owned by the Kabaka of Buganda.
The suspects—Barugahare Mujuni Patrick (70), Butumbwire Stephen (70), Mugisha John (85), Musoke Stephen Brain (64), Mununuzi Alex (32), Orwanga Michael Richard (58), and Anyango Francis (59)—appeared before the Kololo-based court where they were charged with five counts: forcible entry, unlawful occupation of land, malicious damage to property, conspiracy to commit a felony, and forcible detainer.
Violent Takeover Alleged
According to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) charge sheet, the group is accused of forcibly entering and attempting to take possession of Block 273, Plot 5, located in Kaazi, on June 24, 2025. Prosecutors allege the suspects assembled a large group, broke into the offices of the Uganda Scouts Association, and began grading the land without legal authority.
“The accused unlawfully stormed the property in a violent manner, broke into structures, and initiated destruction of established facilities belonging to the Uganda Scouts Association,” reads part of the prosecution summary.
Between June and August, the group allegedly destroyed four kitchen houses, four latrines, four water tanks, a watch tower, a performance arena, and trees on the site—property legally belonging to the Uganda Scouts Association.
The prosecution also accuses the group of forcible detainer, asserting that they unlawfully maintained control of the land “in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace,” despite clear legal ownership by the Scouts Association under the authority of the Kabaka.
Why It Matters: Land, Heritage, and Legal History
The Kaazi site holds deep historical and cultural significance. First registered in 1923 to Kabaka Daudi Chwa II—not personally, but in his official capacity as King of Buganda—the land was leased in 1948 to the Uganda Scouts Association strictly for camping purposes.
Following the abolition of kingdoms in 1967, the land was absorbed by the government, but was later restored to Buganda Kingdom under the 1993 Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act. In 2020, the High Court ruled in favour of the Kabaka, confirming his legal ownership and cancelling fraudulent claims.
The matter flared again when State Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, controversially challenged the Kabaka’s title, ordering its cancellation and pushing for deregistration of the Buganda Land Board. But a landmark ruling by Justice Bonny Isaac Teko blocked those directives, issuing a temporary injunction affirming Buganda’s ownership and halting any further interference by the Ministry.
Next Steps: A Legal Turning Point?
The current criminal charges mark a significant escalation in the ongoing Kaazi land dispute, widely seen as a flashpoint in debates over land rights, cultural heritage, and the rule of law in Uganda.
With the court injunction still in place and the Kabaka’s title reaffirmed both legally and historically, observers say the prosecution could set an important precedent in protecting Buganda Kingdom land from encroachment and reinforcing judicial independence in land matters.
