UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The High Court in Kampala has issued an interim order restraining the Minister of Lands from revoking a Kabaka land title belonging to the Buganda Kingdom.
The court decision temporarily blocks the minister’s directive to cancel the title of Plot 52 on Block 273, located in Kigo, Wakiso District.
The contested Kabaka land title, measuring approximately 38.2 hectares, is part of Buganda Kingdom property registered under the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
The Buganda Kingdom petitioned the court after Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba allegedly directed the Commissioner for Land Registration to cancel the certificate of title without following the due legal process.
In his ruling, Justice Philip Odoki issued an interim injunction restraining the minister and the commissioner from any actions that would affect the land title until the main case is heard and determined.
“The respondents, their agents, or anyone acting on their behalf are restrained from implementing or taking action in respect of the letter dated June 21, 2024, issued by the Minister of Lands,” the order reads in part.
The dispute stems from a letter written by the minister in which she instructed the Commissioner for Land Registration to cancel the Kabaka land title, citing irregularities in how it was obtained.
The minister allegedly claimed that the land had been part of a wetland and public land, and that the title was fraudulently issued.
The Attorney General, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and the Commissioner for Land Registration were listed as respondents in the suit filed by the Kabaka.
The court found the matter urgent and granted the interim order to preserve the status quo while awaiting a full hearing.
Buganda Kingdom officials argue that the Kabaka’s land title was lawfully obtained and is protected under the Constitution and relevant land laws.
Kingdom lawyers contend that cancellation of the title without a hearing violates property rights and undermines established procedures for addressing land disputes.
The disputed land in Kigo is part of a broader area earmarked for development by the kingdom, including plans for residential estates and tourism infrastructure.
The issue has attracted public attention due to the historic and cultural significance of land registered in the name of the Kabaka, which represents the traditional authority of the Buganda Kingdom.
The court scheduled a hearing for the main application challenging the cancellation, during which both parties will present arguments. Until then, the court order remains in effect, and no action can be taken to alter the status of the Kabaka land title.
Justice Odoki emphasised the importance of maintaining legal processes in resolving land conflicts. “The rule of law must prevail, and property rights must be protected until determined otherwise by a competent authority,” he stated.
The case adds to ongoing debates about land governance, title security, and the role of traditional institutions in Uganda’s legal framework.
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