UGANDA, Jinja | Real Muloodi News | In a contentious land battle in Jinja, the State Minister for Lands, Mr Sam Mayanja, has thrown his weight behind the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) in their dispute with Jinja Regional Referral Hospital over four acres of land housing the Jinja cemetery.
The contested parcel of land, situated on Clive Road West (Kampala Road), borders Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and Bax Road.
Minister Mayanja has unequivocally stated that no Land Board possesses the authority to allocate land that rightfully belongs to an individual or entity like the UMSC.
“There has been a dispute between the hospital and the Muslim community; Muslims have utilised this land for burial purposes since 1927,” Mr Mayanja affirmed.
He emphasised, “The land rightfully belongs to them as per the provisions of all Constitutions since 1900. They possess documentation from the Uganda Land Commission and are merely facing intimidation.”
He further clarified, “The legal framework is explicit, and I have thoroughly reviewed it. Section 59(1) a of the Land Act explicitly states that when land is already occupied, it is not available for distribution by the Land Board or Commission. Only those currently occupying the land are eligible to apply for and obtain a freehold title.”
Consequently, Minister Mayanja has ordered the nullification of all unauthorised land titles on Muslim property, invoking the Commission Land Registration Act (Section 91).
Additionally, he directed the Uganda Land Commission to expedite the process of issuing a land title to the Muslim community.
“I have formally acknowledged the fact that the land belongs to Muslims. As it requires surveying, I will initiate the drafting of a letter for its survey and mapping to facilitate the issuance of the title in the name of the Muslim community,” he announced.
Mr Mayanja went on to denounce the hospital’s claims of ownership over the land as fraudulent and instructed the Muslim community to proceed with their plans for the land’s redevelopment.
Mr Herbert Ssemakula, the Principal Administrator of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, presented the hospital’s land records to the minister for verification of ownership.
“Upon reviewing the file, we discovered that the land ownership disputes date back to October 2009, with a resolution reached in April 2022. The Land Board corresponded with the Minister of Health, who, in turn, sought guidance from the Attorney General. However, additional details are available in the file. Our priority remains providing services while ensuring peace,” Mr Ssemakula explained.
Sources indicate that the hospital intends to revitalise the land by constructing a blood bank and a Cancer Institute.
Mr Muhammad Lubega Kisambira, the UMSC national chairperson, asserted that the land rightfully belongs to the Muslim community.
“The land was allocated to Muslims in 1927 and has served as our burial ground since then. Previously, we encountered conflicts with individuals who unlawfully obtained eleven titles to the land, but those titles were revoked. Subsequently, a new dispute arose between Muslims and the hospital. Nonetheless, the Minister has been impartial in his dealings with us,” Mr Lubega stated.
He also disclosed plans to utilise a portion of the land for redevelopment initiatives beneficial to the Muslim community and Jinja at large.
“The land encompasses 4.6 acres, and we intend to allocate a section for burial purposes. Additionally, we will collaborate with Jinja City authorities and other stakeholders to establish projects aimed at enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the Muslim community and the entire Jinja region, considering the prime location of the land,” Mr Lubega added.
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