UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Pastor Daniel Walugembe is pushing back forcefully against renewed allegations that he is illegally claiming ownership over land in Katanga Valley, near Wandegeya in Kampala.
He insists his stake is legally valid, rooted in multiple court rulings, and that he holds Kibanja interests — not outright ownership.Speaking to the press, Walugembe rejected claims labeling him a land grabber.
“I acquired my Kibanja interests from the family of the late Ashe Mukasa Sendaula, who sold me 15 acres,” he stated. He added that another 13.7 acres were purchased from several licensees. “It is unfortunate that some people continue to blackmail me with baseless accusations when their claims were dismissed long ago.”
The controversy centers on a protracted dispute over Katanga Valley land. At the heart of the conflict is a 2015 High Court ruling recognizing the Sendaula family and their licensees — including Walugembe — as bona fide occupants of parts of the land.
That status grants them rights under the 1998 Land Act, which protects occupants who have lived on a property for at least 12 years without formal ownership challenges.
Walugembe noted that his interests were reaffirmed through subsequent court judgments, including a 2017 consent agreement and another ruling in 2021. He said no one has provided legally valid documents to challenge his rightful ownership.
“None of my accusers has ever come forward with evidence showing they have rights to the land,” he asserted.
Despite the pastor’s legal victories, some Katanga residents continue to allege that he is claiming too much — and that his influence undermines their interests. A group of approximately 100 occupants previously filed a case questioning the consent judgment, but their challenge was dismissed by the High Court. On his part, Walugembe criticized what he described as a smear campaign.
“These falsehoods are intended to mislead the public and instigate unrest,” he said, urging people to rely on the court’s documented decisions rather than rumor.
In addition to his Kisanja claim, Walugembe has faced bureaucratic hurdles. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) initially denied him a development permit for his portion of the land, but a court later ruled that the refusal was “unreasonable and irrational.”
Judge Emmanuel Baguma directed city authorities to evaluate the permit application on its merits, rather than rejecting it on procedural grounds.
The land dispute, which involves more than 50,000 bibanja holders in the Katanga Valley, has drawn national attention. Courts have repeatedly issued injunctions to prevent demolitions of buildings pending final resolution.
Walugembe, who heads a city congregation, described himself not as a landlord but as a legally recognized Kibanja holder. He argues that his rights rest on solid legal foundations and that those challenging him are “misrepresenting facts to score political or reputational points.”
As debates over land ownership and development in Katanga continue, the pastor’s defense centers on his legally documented interests, long-standing court rulings, and a push to legitimize development under his equitable claim.
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