By Sekaggya Seka Moses
On July 28, 2016, the Mubende District Land Committee illegally leased land belonging to the Buganda Kingdom to the Uganda Tea Growers Cooperation.
The Buganda Land Board promptly sought justice in court.
In a landmark decision, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, now transferred from Mubende High Court, delivered a ruling in this case, declaring the lease null and void. He held that the Mubende District Land Board exceeded its authority by leasing land that did not belong to it.
The court ordered the commissioner to cancel the lease and instructed Uganda Tea Growers Cooperation to seek a new lease from the Buganda Land Board if needed.
The company was also advised to seek compensation from Mubende District for leasing land that did not belong to them.
Buganda Land Board spokesperson, Lawyer Denis Bugaya, urged individuals and organizations seeking to use Buganda Kingdom land to contact the Buganda Land Board.
This ruling comes amidst tensions between Mubende District and Buganda Kingdom over the district headquarters’ land, which the kingdom claims partially belongs to them. The district leaders dispute this claim.
