The former Prime Minister (Katikkiro) of Buganda Kingdom, Dan Muliika has asked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to stop assuming that the mailo land tenure system is the reason why his government has failed to fight land disputes in Uganda.
During an interview on CBS FM over the weekend, Muliika Mailo land has never been an issue in Uganda’s land problems. He however noted that the source of the problems comes from the Central government.
“When he rose into power, he came with thieves and that’s where all Uganda’s land problems originate from. However, in Buganda region due to mailo system, every inch of land is marked which guarantees its safety. So if he wants to remove it what is his agenda? Has he come to destroy the Buganda Kingdom or is working for the good of Uganda and Buganda?” Muliika wondered.
The former Buganda premier also noted that the bad thing is that President Museveni is surrounded by greedy people who ill advise him about the whole matter.
“President Museveni has one problem and I pity him so much because those who would have advised him on such matters just worship him.”
He also advised him that if he wants to settle land problems in Uganda, he must work hand in hand with the owners of the land (Buganda Kingdom) if not that he should introduce federal form of governance so that every region settles its matters.
Mulika’s reactions follow President Museveni’s statements during the 32nd Hero’s day anniversary last week at Kololo independence grounds where he expressed dismay over the Mailo land tenure system used in the Buganda kingdom stating that it’s ”an evil system”.
“It is really very bad and not fair but some people support it. How do you allow these things to happen? In Buganda, they have so many actors with each one saying this and that and it’s all against a small person. We shall see what to propose including on the issue of absentee landlords. In Buganda, they have so many actors with each one saying this and that and it’s all against a small person. We shall see what to propose including on the issue of absentee landlords,” he said.
It must also be recalled that during the Buganda Lukiko that took place on 10th May this year, the current Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga outlined six major reasons as to why land disputes have persisted in Uganda. He asked leaders from the central government to stop looking at the Mailo land tenure system as a problem. He added the system is the identity of the Kingdom.
“Mailo land tenure system has never been a problem in Uganda. Let me list the main issues as to why land disputes in Uganda are not settled. One Police’s weakness to investigate land cases professionally. Secondly, courts handling land cases in Uganda are too weak, one land case takes over 5-6 years. Confusion in the lands office, Population increase and Politics. If those issues are not settled. Even if you remove Mailo land nothing will change, it will even worsen the situation.”
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