Nine arrested selling Catholic Church land

CAPTION: Premier Nabbanja (in white) moves to take her seat in the House. (Courtesy Photo).

By Our reporter

KAMPALA – Police have arrested nine suspects accused of trespassing on and illegally selling portions of land belonging to St. Kizito Kayini Sub-Parish of the Lugazi Catholic Diocese in Mukono District.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja revealed this during the plenary sitting chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth on Thursday, 12 November 2026.

Nabbanja’s response followed a concern raised by Nakifuma County Member of Parliament, Hon. Sulaiman Kiwanuka on disputes surrounding the 101-acre church land.

According to Kiwanuka, the dispute escalated on 01 June 2026 when a group led by a one, Nelson Okello Alfred allegedly committed criminal trespass, prompting St. Kizito’s Parish priest, Fr. Anthony Kizito to lodge a formal complaint at Naggalama Police Station.

According to the Prime Minister,the suspects claim ownership of the land as first, second, and third generation mailo landholders and allegedly sold off portions of the acreage to Okello between March and May 2026.
“Of the 101 acres, 29 were already occupied by squatters and the church has recently commenced the process of documenting the land,” said Nabbanja adding that preliminary findings indicate the disputed land was originally donated to the Catholic Church by the Buganda Kingdom.

She commended the Mukono Resident District Commissioner and the Kasawo Sub-county LC III Chairperson, who intervened with fact-finding meetings to address the conflict.
“Government remains committed to protecting institutional land, including church land from illegal encroachment. The relevant authorities will ensure due process is followed,” Nabbanja said.

Nabbanja added that with the case file now sanctioned, the suspects are expected to be arraigned in court to answer charges related to the encroachment.