MBARARA-KACENCE LAND WARS! Fresh Court Battle Erupts Over 'Fake' Title

By Amos Tayebwa

A bitter multi-million land wrangle in Mbarara City has taken a dramatic twist after one of the rival claimants rushed to court seeking the cancellation of what he describes as an illegally acquired land title, deepening a dispute that has already attracted the attention of security authorities.

The contested property, measuring about two hectares and located in Kacence Cell, Mbarara City North Division, has become the centre of an escalating ownership battle between businessman Robert Kamugisha and James Kenyatta Shaban.

Kamugisha maintains that he legally purchased the land from the Sisters of Kenyatta for UGX 70 million, insisting that at the time of purchase, the land had no registered title. Kenyatta, however, claims the land was family property left by his late father, Shaban Gawite, and therefore belongs to his family.

The dispute had earlier forced Mbarara City North Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Jackline Kankunda to intervene, ordering both parties to maintain the status quo and leave the matter to court.

During a mediation meeting convened by the Deputy RCC, Kenyatta was reportedly asked to present documents proving ownership of the land but allegedly failed to produce them.

Despite the matter already being before the High Court after Kenyatta sued Kamugisha, fresh controversy has now emerged after Kamugisha discovered that a land title had allegedly been processed and issued over the same disputed property.

The businessman accuses Kenyatta of secretly obtaining the title while the ownership dispute was still pending before court.

Kamugisha has now filed a fresh application seeking cancellation of the title, arguing that it was fraudulently and illegally acquired.

“I bought this land for UGX 70 million. It had no title and I have all the sale agreements from the people I bought it from. Mr. Kenyatta was not even the owner of this land,” Kamugisha said.

Robert-Kamugisha-the-one-claiming-he-bought-the-land

He went further to allege that Kenyatta is being assisted by individuals he describes as notorious land grabbers in Mbarara.

“He is being aided by people who are well known for land grabbing in Mbarara, including Nice, Kakiga and David Buryo. They want to push me off my land and share it among themselves. They are the same people who helped him obtain this land title illegally. The title is fake and that is why I have gone to court seeking its cancellation,” Kamugisha alleged.

He added that he has already registered a caveat on the land to prevent any transactions until court determines the matter.

On her part, Deputy RCC Jackline Kankunda reiterated that security agencies will not allow either side to use violence while the case remains before court.

“Our role as security is to maintain peace. We warned both parties against fighting over this land. Let court determine who the rightful owner is. We shall not tolerate any violence or illegal actions on the land,” Kankunda said.

She added that security remains committed to protecting lives and property while condemning acts of land grabbing within Mbarara City.