By Hannah Marion Namukasa
City Pastor Daniel Walugembe has dismissed allegations of land grabbing in the contested Katanga Valley near Wandegeya, asserting that he legally owns Kibanja interests, not the land as a landlord.
Addressing the media in Kampala, Pastor Walugembe clarified that his land interests were lawfully acquired and have been upheld by various court rulings in 2015, 2019, and 2021, while the claims made by his accusers were dismissed.
“I acquired my interests from the family of the late Ashe Mukasa Sendaula, who sold me 15 acres of their Kibanja, while an additional 13.7 acres were sold to me by other licensees,” Walugembe said. “It is unfortunate that some people are now blackmailing me, falsely claiming I grabbed their land, even though their cases were dismissed for lack of evidence.”
Presenting supporting documents, Walugembe emphasized that his land transactions and interests were confirmed by court decisions that were neither appealed nor challenged.
He revealed that the 15 acres were purchased from five family members, Bulasio Buyise, Jonathan Masembe, Sendawula Ronald, Sendawula Isiah, and Latimer Mpagi who are recognized beneficiaries of the estate of the late Ashe Mukasa Sendaula.
According to court records, the High Court recognized these individuals as bonafide occupants of the Katanga land and upheld their right to transfer Kibanja interests. Pastor Walugembe is one of the licensees to whom they sold part of their land.
“None of my accusers have ever presented any documents to prove their Kibanja claims. They are simply misleading the public and authorities,” he added.
In a 2015 ruling, the Land Division of the High Court presided over by then-Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo referenced the 1998 Land Act, which states that a person must prove uninterrupted occupation for at least 12 years to qualify as a bonafide occupant.
While the court affirmed that Makerere University is the registered proprietor of the land, it also ruled:
“The plaintiffs are protected by law as bonafide occupants and are entitled to continue enjoying their occupation… they have been in uninterrupted occupation of the suit land and are therefore protected by law from being evicted.”
This judgment reinforced the agreement between the Sendaula family and Pastor Walugembe, validating the sale and transfer of 15 acres of Kibanja to him.
Further, in October 2017, five family members and Walugembe entered into a consent judgment before Justice Alexandria Nkonge Rugadya, affirming that they had sold their interest to the pastor. The family also committed to hand over vacant possession of the land and to evict illegal occupants.
In September 2021, the High Court dismissed, with costs, a lawsuit filed by 100 individuals who had sued both Pastor Walugembe and the Sendaula family members. They sought to challenge the 2017 consent judgment.
The plaintiffs, represented by Hassan Ssegawa Kambugu, Bobby M. Kasujja, Proscovia Najjemba, Nsangi Sarah, and Nabuule Beatrice, claimed to be bonafide occupants.
However, the court found no legal merit in their claims.
“The applicants who also claim to be bonafide occupants never took the trouble to challenge the 2015 decision. That ruling had already settled the issue of ownership,” Justice Nkonge held.
The judge emphasized that with ownership having been determined as early as the 1990s and reaffirmed in 2015, it was improper for the same matter to be raised again years later.
Walugembe’s statement follows media reports alleging that he is illegally claiming ownership of land in the Katanga Valley.
“These reports are misleading. My ownership is court-sanctioned, and I followed legal procedures throughout,” he reiterated.
