Residents and leaders of Kaazi in Makindye Sabagabo Municipality, Wakiso, have strongly rejected a recent claim made by Minister Sam Mayanja regarding the ownership of land in the area, asserting that they will continue paying busuulu (land rent) to the Buganda Land Board.
On March 5, 2025, Minister Mayanja declared that part of the contested Kaazi Scouts land, located on Block 273, Plot 5, belongs to the estate of the late Kabaka Daudi Chwa II. This statement contradicts prior court rulings which confirmed that the land falls under the jurisdiction of the Kabaka of Buganda.
In 2020, a ruling by then Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija and a separate court decision in the case of Kalemera Kimera vs. the Kabaka of Buganda upheld that the land was owned by the Kabaka. However, Minister Mayanja, citing a land title registered under Daudi Chwa II, insisted that the land rightfully belongs to Chwa’s estate, stirring anger among locals and Buganda Kingdom officials.
Pollycap Wagaba, a long-time resident of Kaazi, dismissed the minister’s assertion, calling it a misinterpretation of history. Wagaba argued that all land under Daudi Chwa’s name belongs to the Kabaka, not an individual estate, pointing out discrepancies in the minister's claim, such as the difference in land size and the meaning of the title "H.H." (His Highness), which, according to him, should apply solely to the Kabaka.
Kimera Edward, another Kaazi resident, expressed concern over the potential consequences of the minister’s statement. He emphasized that locals have consistently paid busuulu to the Buganda Land Board and intend to continue doing so unless official clarification is provided by the Mengo authorities. “We oppose this claim unless we hear directly from Mengo,” Kimera stated. “We will keep paying our dues, but we need Mengo to address this to protect us from eviction.”
Ziwa Edward, the chairperson of the area’s Land Committee, criticized Mayanja for acting without consulting the Kabaka. Ziwa questioned the legality of the minister’s actions and emphasized that no one should be above the High Court’s ruling. He confirmed that the residents would formally seek guidance from Mengo to ensure they continue paying their land dues to the Buganda Land Board if the land indeed belongs to the Kabaka.
The Scouts Association of Uganda has held a lease for camping activities on the Kaazi land since 1948, issued by the late Sir Edward Muteesa II. However, over time, fraudulent leases were issued to individuals through the Scout Association, violating the original terms of the lease. As a result, the Kabaka petitioned the Commissioner of Land Registration, leading to a public hearing and the cancellation of all fraudulent titles related to the land.
Following this cancellation, a group claiming to be descendants of the late Sir Daudi Chwa II petitioned Minister Mayanja, urging him to reverse the Commissioner’s decision. Minister Mayanja acted on this petition on March 5, 2025, sparking the current dispute.
Legal experts have strongly criticized Mayanja’s actions, warning that his decision to override a court ruling and the Commissioner’s actions is both illegal and unenforceable.
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