In what appears to be a calculated move to manage its public image, online content related to a high-profile land fraud case involving Watoto Child Care Ministries, a branch of Watoto Church has been systematically removed from the internet.
Followers of the controversial case have raised concerns about the sudden disappearance of multiple news reports, particularly two stories previously published by major news outlets. One article was taken down by MSN, an international media platform, while a local media outlet’s coverage has been inconsistently accessible.
Some observers suspect a deliberate effort by the church to erase digital traces of the ongoing legal dispute.
“I think after failing to stop media coverage directly from the courtroom and allegedly attempting to influence journalists, they’ve now resorted to having the stories taken offline,” one reader claimed, sharing search results showing broken links. “When you click, the page says ‘not available.’”
This development comes shortly after the Land Division of Uganda’s High Court issued an order compelling Dr. Fredrick Njuki primary complainant and witness to prove his Ugandan citizenship. Watoto Child Care Ministries argues that Dr. Njuki lost his Ugandan nationality upon acquiring U.S. citizenship, a claim his legal team disputes as a diversion tactic.
The Dispute
Watoto Child Care Ministries stands accused of illegally acquiring 179 acres of land in Lube and Sekomangwa villages, Wakiso District. Dr. Njuki filed a lawsuit in June 2012 against the organization, along with his brother Steven Ian Nsubuga, Ann Nsubuga, and the Commissioner for Land Registration.
According to court documents, Dr. Njuki alleges that the land was fraudulently sold to Watoto by his brother using forged documents. He maintains that his late father, Eric Gganja Kiyuba Njuki, is the rightful owner, and that the transactions involving Watoto were marred by illegalities and deliberate deceit.
“The plaintiff shall aver that since the entry on the register of the names of Steven Nsubuga and the organization was effected by the fourth defendant (Commissioner for Land Registration), the fourth defendant should be ordered to cancel all said entries and reinstate the names of the plaintiff’s father as the registered proprietor,” reads one court filing.
Dr. Njuki is asking the court to declare him the legal owner of 50% of the disputed land and to cancel the registration of Watoto as the current owner. He is also seeking an injunction restraining all parties involved from interfering with the land until the case is resolved.
Watoto’s Defense
Watoto Child Care Ministries has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the organization followed proper procedure in the land acquisition. Through their lawyers, Watoto claims that in 2010 it purchased eight plots in Lube Village and two additional plots, only after verifying ownership and conducting boundary opening exercises which revealed no squatters.
The organization asserts that land registry searches confirmed Steven Nsubuga as the rightful owner at the time of the transaction. They further argue that the plaintiff’s allegations have disrupted their operations and infringed on their quiet enjoyment of the property.
Watoto has filed a counterclaim against Nsubuga, demanding a refund of Shs800 million, the amount paid for the land along with 30% interest.
