The late Angello Kasirye, aka Tuweereza
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I A major land dispute is brewing after the family of deceased city businessman Angello Kasirye, popularly known as Tuweereza, was dragged before the Police Land Protection Unit over allegations of trespassing on and attempting to take over a disputed piece of land in Wakiso District.
The dispute pits the late businessman’s widow, Edith Nansamba, and businessman David Sserunkuuma against Patrick Tebatya, who claims to be the lawful occupant and beneficiary of the contested kibanja located on Block 306, Plots 574 and 578, in Kireka-Bbira, Nakabugo Parish.
The Police Land Protection Unit, based in Makindye, summoned Nansamba and Sserunkuuma following a complaint lodged by Tebatya, who petitioned the State House Land Office, accusing the duo of illegally trespassing on his land and threatening his life.
According to police summons dated July 2, the two were directed to appear before investigators on July 8 with all documents relating to the disputed property to aid investigations.
In a letter dated July 3 and addressed to Senior Presidential Advisor on Land Matters Phiona Barungi, Tebatya maintained that he is the rightful occupant of the kibanja and has possessed it peacefully for more than 15 years.
Threatening violence
“I am the lawful occupant and beneficiary of a Kibanja situated on Block 306, Plot numbers 574 and 578, situated in Kireka village, Nakabugo Parish in Wakiso District. I request your office to investigate the actions of Nansamba and Sserunkuuma and also institute appropriate criminal proceedings against them for trespassing on my Kibanja and threatening my life,” Tebatya wrote.
He further claimed that throughout the 15 years he has occupied the land, no one had challenged his ownership until the recent developments involving the late Kasirye’s family.
The complaint has now triggered investigations by the specialized Police Land Protection Unit, which was established to tackle the growing number of fraudulent land transactions and illegal evictions across the country.
Clean transaction
Responding to the allegations, Nansamba dismissed claims that she had illegally occupied the land, insisting that the property previously belonged to her family before it was sold to Sserunkuuma.
She explained that the transaction began while her husband, Angello Kasirye, was still alive.
“At the time of my husband’s death, Sserunkuuma, who was a kibanja holder on the land, had started making payments to acquire it. He eventually acquired it after paying the full amount on February 24, 2022,” Nansamba said.
Sserunkuuma also defended the purchase, maintaining that he legally acquired the land after carrying out the necessary due diligence.
He said there were no disputes or cautions registered against the property at the time of purchase.
“By the time I bought the said land, there were no disputes or notice of any encumbrances. If there was any, I would have known it because I acquired the said Kibanja from my late grandfather, Maliko Mayindi, who gifted it to me in the early 2000s,” Sserunkuuma explained.
Bona fide kibanja holder
To support his claim, Sserunkuuma presented letters from the Local Council One office dated July 21, 2007, and August 10, 2019, identifying him as the bona fide kibanja holder on the land years before the disputed sale was concluded.
His account has also been supported by several local leaders, including LC1 General Secretary Fred Mutumba, Defence Secretary Ronald Lubega, Information Secretary Solomon Baliruno and Youth Secretary Denis Muwonge, who reportedly confirmed his occupancy of the property.
However, Tebatya has rejected those claims, insisting that he inherited the kibanja from his late grandfather, Duadi Kasirye, and therefore remains the legitimate beneficiary.
The conflicting claims have left investigators with the task of establishing the true ownership of the land by scrutinizing the historical records, ownership documents and testimonies from both parties.
The case is the latest in a series of high-profile land disputes to reach the Police Land Protection Unit, highlighting the persistent conflicts surrounding kibanja ownership and inheritance in the rapidly urbanizing Wakiso District.
Police investigations are ongoing, and both parties are expected to present additional documentary evidence as detectives work to determine whether criminal offences, including trespass, were committed.
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