Gov’t intervenes in illegal sale of Lugazi Catholic Church land

What the report says

Police in Uganda have arrested nine people accused of trespassing on and illegally selling parts of land belonging to St. Kizito Kayini Sub-Parish under the Lugazi Catholic Diocese in Mukono District, according to Watchdog Uganda. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja disclosed the arrests during a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, 12 November 2026, after the issue was raised by Nakifuma County MP Sulaiman Kiwanuka.

The dispute involves 101 acres of church land. The article says tensions escalated on 1 June 2026, when a group reportedly led by Nelson Okello Alfred entered the land, prompting parish priest Fr. Anthony Kizito to file a complaint at Naggalama Police Station. Nabbanja said the suspects claim the land as inherited mailo property and are accused of selling portions between March and May 2026.

The prime minister also said 29 acres were already occupied by squatters, while the church had begun documenting the land. Preliminary findings, she said, suggest the land was originally donated to the Catholic Church by the Buganda Kingdom. Government officials in Mukono, including the Resident District Commissioner and the Kasawo Sub-county LC III chairperson, have held fact-finding meetings, and the case file has now been sanctioned for court. The development highlights ongoing disputes over institutional land in Uganda and the pressure facing religious organizations to secure and document property.