Makerere University is facing fresh allegations over the ownership of prime land in Katanga, near Wandegeya, following claims that its certificate of title was fraudulently created.
In a renewed dispute, the management of Mulago National Referral Hospital has asked the Attorney General (AG) to intervene and ensure the matter is resolved impartially by thoroughly investigating alleged irregularities surrounding the creation of Certificate of Title FRV 202/6.
In a letter dated February 25, 2026, Mulago Hospital Executive Director, Dr. Rosemary K. Byanyima, requested the Attorney General to facilitate the cancellation of the title held by Makerere University, alleging that it was created through forgery and unlawfully superimposed on land belonging to Mulago Hospital.
According to the letter, the disputed land originally comprised two parcels that were granted to the Makerere College Council by the Governor of the Uganda Protectorate under Crown Grants Nos. 36608 and 36629. The grants were registered on May 3, 1943, under Freehold Register Volume 59, Folio 21.
The hospital explains that on October 12, 1956, the Governor transferred a 36.5-acre portion of the land, located north of Kitante Road, from Makerere College Council to Mulago Hospital to facilitate the hospital’s expansion. In exchange, Makerere College Council received residential plots in Kololo and Katalemwa estates.
“However, due to unknown reasons, a Certificate of Title, Freehold Register Volume 202 Folio 6, comprising Plots 40–42 North Kitante Road (currently occupied by Makerere Medical School) and Plots 1–43 and 47 (Katanga Zone), was erroneously created on March 1, 1962, in the names of Makerere University College Council. The certificate of title was later transferred to Makerere University on August 24, 2027,” the letter states.
Mulago argues that the March 1, 1962 transfer does not appear on either the original or substitute parent certificate of title registered under FRV 59/21.
The hospital further claims that the encumbrances appearing on Certificate of Title FRV 202/6 were recorded in 1958 and 1959—years before the title was allegedly created in 1962. It says an analysis found that the encumbrances on FRV 202/6 are duplicates of those on FRV 59/21, although they bear different instrument numbers while retaining the same registration dates.
The latest complaint revives a long-running dispute over the ownership of the Katanga Valley land, more than a decade after the High Court ruled on the matter.
In 2015, the High Court declared that four family members—Jonathan Yosamu Masembe, Bulasio Buyisi, George Kalimu and Samalie Nambogga—and their licensees were bona fide occupants entitled to remain on the land under the law.
The four had sued Makerere University and the Commissioner for Land Registration after the cancellation of their land titles in a dispute over ownership of the Katanga land.
In the same ruling, however, the court also recognized Makerere University as the registered proprietor of the land.
Then High Court Land Division Judge Alphonse Owiny-Dollo relied on the 1998 Land Act, which provides that a person claiming bona fide occupancy must prove uninterrupted possession of land for at least 12 years without challenge.
“While the plaintiffs are protected by law as bona fide occupants and are entitled to continue enjoying their occupation, I have found that the plaintiffs have been in uninterrupted occupation of the suit land and are therefore protected by law from being evicted therefrom,” the judge ruled.
Makerere University appealed the decision, and the appeal remains pending before the courts.
Court records indicate that the disputed Katanga land comprises three zones covering about 37 acres currently occupied by the complainants and their licensees. However, Mulago Hospital contends that Makerere University is claiming ownership of 277 acres despite its title indicating approximately 10.315 hectares.
