Buganda Kingdom has warned against interpreting the
country’s land issues in political terms.
The Kingdom’s Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga made the
statement on Monday while addressing the Buganda Lukiiko at Bulange, Mengo.
“The truth is that, it’s not the Mailo land system
that is causing the problem because we have witnessed development in Uganda
since the Mailo land system was introduced. Land Problems started around the
1990s and 2000s and if they are addressed, there should be no problem at all,”
said Mayiga in part.
His statements come after that of President Yoweri
Museveni made early this month during the 32nd Heroes Day
celebrations at Kololo Independence Grounds. At the event, Museveni described
Mailo land as a very bad and evil tenure system used in Buganda Kingdom.
President Museveni disapproved the system that was
adopted in the post 1900 Buganda Agreement era saying that it is not fair
despite being supported by some people. The Mailo land tenure system includes
taxation fee on land ownership and squatters. It subjects ownership of land in
Buganda Kingdom to independent laws, norms, customs and values.
Now Museveni says that this needs to be reformed so
that land owners are entitled to full ownership of their land. The President
noted that he was perturbed by concerns of people who are illegally displaced
from their land induced by land grabbing cases related to the Mailo land tenure
system.
However, Katikkiro Mayiga disagrees saying that the
problem is not Mailo land and the traditional institution’s Buganda Land Board-
BLB.
“Many government institutions and installations were
developed on Mailo land…Makerere University is a case in point, Namulonge
Research Centre, even the grounds of State House are on land which is Mailo
land for which we seek compensation right now,” said Mayiga.
Mayiga said that he is ready to interface with
different leaders in the country to explain the land system and the causes of
land problems in the country.
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He warned against any enactment of controversial law
on Mailo law saying that even when enacted, they would be changed in future.
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Mayiga identified seven issues which he said need to
be addressed by government regarding land.
“Those who go
and evict people from their land with guns should be identified and arrested. The
Land offices throughout the country should be streamlined because it is easier
for the wrong people to get Certificates of Title than the rightful people, the
Land Protection Unit of Uganda Police should be strengthened and given support,
both financial and logistical,” he recommended.
Mayiga also said that all land cases should be
timely disposed of in the courts of law with justice.
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Meanwhile, Katikkiro Mayiga also tasked the new
Cabinet appointed by President Yoweri Museveni to fight poverty and create jobs
for youth, ensure medical supplies and equipement in all hospitals, reasonable
payment to medical workers, place emphasis on education, protection of
environment and provision of safe and sufficient water, respect for human rights
and rule of law and others.
The other issues raised by Buganda to be handled by
the new cabinet are ensuring that people are connected to the electricity grid
all over the country, construction of new roads and maintaining of old ones
among others.
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Regarding the country’s response to Covid-19, Mayiga
appealed to Ugandans to avoid self-medication and follow the set Standard Operating
Procedures. He also requested government to give support to private medical facilities
such that they do not overcharge patients.
