The Kyabazinga Tells Off Encroachers

The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, has emphasized that the kingdom's primary goal is not to sell its land but rather to lease it to viable investors. 

His statement comes at a crucial time when the kingdom is in negotiations with the government regarding the return of kingdom property, which includes various local government administrative units, prisons, farms, and other facilities. 

However, this land has faced encroachment by several individuals, some of whom have constructed residential premises or established farms. These encroachments pose a threat to the projected Kingdom revenues when the contested properties are fully returned to the kingdom's custodianship.

Addressing his subjects during the ninth coronation anniversary at the Namungalwe town council headquarters in Iganga district Wednesday, Gabula explained that since the establishment of the kingdom, their focus has been on partnering with investors. 

These investors are offered land to set up high-capital-intensive projects that provide both skills and jobs to the local communities. Gabula emphasized that he is the sole custodian of all land owned by the Busoga Kingdom on behalf of his subjects. As their cultural leader, nobody is authorized to transact high-intensity land dealings without his authorization. 

Furthermore, Gabula stated that anyone interested in high-intensity investments in kingdom land should exclusively approach him personally or his premier. He partially delegates powers of attorney to the premier to handle land matters on his behalf. 

Gabula added that all registered land leases on kingdom land, issued to different investors across the Busoga sub-region, are registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to prevent counterfeit transactions. 

Meanwhile, the premier of Kigulu chiefdom, Ismael Kyeyago, reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the kingdom's property in the area, which is targeted by encroachers. Kyeyago pointed out reports of some politicians colluding with land grabbers to forcibly take over Kingdom land. He stated that their teams are actively investigating such dubious activities.