UGANDA, Kassanda | Real Muloodi News | More than 20,000 residents in Kassanda District have received permanent land ownership documents following the issuance of Kassanda freehold titles by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, marking a major step in resolving long-standing land tenure challenges in the area.
The Kassanda freehold titles were issued to residents of Kitumbi Sub-county in Bukuya County, covering seven villages that have faced decades of uncertainty over land ownership.
The beneficiary villages under the Kassanda freehold titles program are Kyalyabulo I, Kyalyabulo II, Kyengera, Kazinga, Lubaali, Bwandagi and Kitumbi. The land is located in Singo Block 493 and spans approximately five square miles. According to local leaders, the area is home to an estimated population of more than 20,000 people.
State Minister for Lands Sam Mayanja presided over the handover of the Kassanda freehold titles, delivering the documents to village chairpersons on behalf of the beneficiaries. During the event, Mayanja said the issuance of Kassanda freehold titles was intended to secure lawful occupants and reduce land-related conflicts.
“Now that you have titles, you qualify for government programs that require proof of land ownership,” Mayanja said, referring to initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga.
Before the handover, LCII Chairperson Augustine Gasaasira briefed the minister on the challenges residents faced while seeking legal ownership of the land. Gasaasira said the issuance of Kassanda freehold titles followed years of engagement with government officials and leaders.
“We were here when the Minister of Lands, Judith Nabakooba, promised that President Museveni would give us this land,” Gasaasira said. “We faced many obstacles, but when Minister Mayanja came in, the matter was resolved.”
Gasaasira said many residents initially doubted the announcement until Bukuya County Member of Parliament Michael Bukenya Kyabikoola confirmed it. He added that despite the progress, disputes remain on land belonging to the Kamuseenene clan, where residents allegedly face eviction because the title holder has not been fully compensated.
Bwandagi Cell Chairperson Gabriel Ssendayi said the land was originally owned by the late Drake Ndiwalana, who allowed residents to farm in exchange for seasonal produce. After Ndiwalana’s death, Ssendayi said disagreements among his heirs allegedly led to eviction threats and court disputes.
“Later, we learned that the lease had expired and was going to be renewed,” Ssendayi said. “As residents, we decided the lease should instead be granted to us.”
Ssendayi said the Kassanda freehold titles ended years of fear among residents who lacked access to services due to insecure tenure. “We lived with fear of eviction for a long time,” he said.
MP Bukenya said that after the issuance of Kassanda freehold titles, the President also provided residents with 23,000 coffee seedlings to encourage agricultural production now that land tenure has been secured.
Mayanja said the titles are freehold, meaning beneficiaries cannot be evicted, and added that government efforts to issue land titles to lawful occupants would continue across the country. He also warned that alleged land grabbing cases would be handled according to the law.
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