UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | In a land dispute that has taken a contentious turn, Pastor Daniel Banja Kibalama and his wife, Ms Daphine Banja, of the Bulenga Healing Centre Church in Wakiso, are accusing businessman John Kalemba of grabbing their land in the district.
The pastor, also a businessman, accuses Mr. Kalemba of grabbing their land and erecting illegal structures on their property, prompting the couple to petition the President through the office of his senior assistant on special duties, Ms. Phionah Barungi.
The disputed land, measuring 9.5 decimals (0.094 acres), is located in Bulenga-Kikaya Zone Block 364 Plot 395. The title, registered on April 13, 2023, bears the names of Daniel Banja Kibalama and Daphine Banja.
The contested area sits between Mr. Kalemba’s Das Berliner Hotel-Bulenga and the couple’s newly constructed home.
According to Ms Banja, they acquired the land in November 2020 from their cousin James Ssembayita, who had tenants (bibanja occupants) on the property.
The couple chose not to evict the tenants, opting to let them stay after introducing themselves as the new owners. However, Mr. Kalemba claims legal acquisition of the land.
The conflict escalated when Mr Kalemba reportedly hired the land from its occupants, Grace Mutyaba and Isaac Ssemakula, for a period of five years at a rate of USh10 million per year.
The purported agreement, non-renewable after five years, outlined the terms of the lease for seven decimals. Despite attempts to contact the parties involved, many did not respond to comment.
Ms Banja explained that Mr Kalemba expressed an interest in developing the land, which the couple opposed. They informed him of their plans to construct a road leading to their newly built home on an adjacent plot.
Pastor Kibalama, while still in the US at the time, later expressed shock at the developments, claiming Mr Kalemba misrepresented his association with Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the MK (Muhoozi Kainerugaba) movement.
The National Mobiliser of the MK Movement, Mr. Balaam Barugahara, refuted any connection between Mr. Kalemba and the movement, stating that Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba had no land in Bulenga.
Pastor Kibalama’s siblings, Fred Mugwanya and Robinah Lubega, also contradicted the pastor’s claims, asserting that the family had legally sold land to Mr. Kalemba.
Mr Kalemba responded by challenging the pastor to provide evidence of land payment and asserted that the pastor’s family had a longstanding history of internal conflicts.
The businessman, who has been embroiled in another land dispute accusation in the past, maintained his innocence, stating that he had only been involved for two years.
This latest incident adds to the complex web of land disputes in the region, with both parties presenting contrasting narratives.
As the case unfolds, the allegations and counter-allegations underscore the need for a thorough investigation to determine the rightful ownership of the disputed land.
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