President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed landlords to cease the illegal eviction of bibanja holders.
He also ordered landlords with excessive nominal rent fees (obusuulu) to return the money immediately or risk arrest. “Landlords who have been charging more than the district-agreed busuulu fees must return the excess. If they attempt to evict our people, we shall arrest them. You must repay all the money taken from these people; the evictions are illegal,” H.E. Museveni said.
Speaking at the 35th Heroes’ Day celebrations held on June 9, 2024, at Mpenja Church of Uganda Primary School playgrounds, Mpenja Sub-county, Gomba District, under the theme: “Hail Our Heroes: A Secure Uganda Is Now Reality,” the President emphasized that the issue of landlords and bibanja holders was resolved in the Constituent Assembly (CA) and the Land Act of 1998.
“We established that a landlord has no power to evict a kibanja holder who was on the plot of land (Kibanja) by 1983. The only requirement was to provide some nominal rent (busuulu), fixed by the district land boards. Landlords must adhere to what we agreed in 1995. Idi Amin had abolished mailo land, but we restored ownership to create a win-win situation. However, these landlords ignore the NRM and treat it as a joke,” the President stressed.
In 1995, a new constitution clarified land rights, stating that land in Uganda belongs to its people and reinstated private land ownership. President Museveni was dismayed to learn that landlords have ignored the agreed nominal fees paid by bibanja holders and are evicting them. According to Gomba District LC5 chairperson, Mr. Kiviiri Geoffrey, the approved nominal fee is Shs10,000 per year, but landlords have refused such payments, leading to increasing land conflicts. The President indicated new policies would be implemented to safeguard this arrangement. “We may need to resolve in the NRM parliamentary caucus that if landlords don’t accept the rent fees, the rent should be kept at the sub-county. All this suffering is due to not following the law,” H.E. Museveni directed. He also asked the Resident District Commissioner-RDC for Gomba, Ms. Harriet Nakamya, to record those under eviction threat due to nominal fees and resolve the issue with their landlords.
At the same event, the Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, distributed land titles to 446 people in Kanoni, Gomba, courtesy of the government through the Land Fund. President Museveni, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), revealed that their success during the 1981-1986 liberation war was due to the correct principles of the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M).
“Our success was due to the correct principles of the NRM. Other groups attempted to fight but could not manage,” he said.
He explained that as fighters, they believed in Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy.
“In Kampala, I hear religious people talk about strong traditional religions, but we were able to guide them. We listened and showed them the way. We led traditional people in a modern way, demonstrating that while we respect our ancestors, modern methods were necessary,” the President asserted.
President Museveni highlighted Gomba’s significant role in the protracted struggle. “This was an operational area for UFM and FEDEMO, with the NRA operating in the Northeast.
Gomba was a corridor for our recruits from the Southwest to the Luwero area. When we attacked Kabamba, we passed through Gomba,” he said. “You Bazukulu and foreigners must understand that Uganda is a land of martyrs and heroes.
The martyrs died without resistance, but we fought back. When dealing with Uganda, recognize these two characteristics. Martyrs accepted their fate, but heroes fought back.” He advised leaders to be patient with the people they lead to help them achieve their goals. “People can listen and move with you if you are patient with them,” he noted.
The President urged Ugandans to fight poverty by embracing the NRM’s wealth creation message.
“Since 1995, I’ve been teaching you how to get out of poverty with the four-acre model. If you don’t have four acres, use one acre or whatever you have. For four acres, one should be for coffee, another for fruits, the third for pasture for dairy cows, the fourth for food crops, and the backyard for poultry or pigs, if you are not Muslim or traditional Munyankore . Near wetlands, do fish farming. You’ll earn a lot. These programs are meant to help you implement this,” he said.
“Veterans, when I launched Operation Wealth Creation, I instructed Gen. Saleh to first give seedlings to veterans’ families, starting in the Luwero area.” he added
President Museveni reiterated his call for Ugandans to embrace government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga to improve their livelihoods.
“With PDM, we provide Shs1 million per borrowing. This amount is sufficient to cultivate one acre of coffee. If we allocate Shs100 million per parish per year, 100 homesteads will progress. If successful, we can increase it to Shs200 million. Ignore those who divert you and start now. Emyooga also supports every constituency,” he explained. “We have solutions for every problem. For agriculture, there’s PDM and Emyooga money for low-income people. Richer people can access funds from Uganda Development Bank. Don’t listen to those who want to mislead you.”
The President directed the new Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, to install 18 police officers per sub-county with facilities and connect villages to telephones to combat crime. “Fighting crime in Uganda is now simple. With 18 policemen per sub-county and transport, plus widespread communication, controlling crime is easy.”
President Museveni also promised to meet the veterans’ executive to discuss various issues. Additionally, 49 distinguished individuals were awarded medals for their exceptional contributions to the country’s socio-economic transformation.
Among the awardees was Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Jumah Al Maktoum from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who received a distinguished Order of the Crested Crane 1st Class Medal. He is a businessman and a member of the Dubai Royal family.
Earlier, President Museveni laid a wreath at a hero’s monument in memory of freedom fighters killed during the 1981-1986 liberation war. The Minister for Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, honored the President for his sacrifice and commitment to liberating Uganda.
“Your Excellency, sir, your advisor Hajji Edrisa Ssedunga requested hosting this year’s Heroes’ Day at Mpenja. Due to its historical significance, we agreed. Gomba District, part of greater Mpigi District in the 1980s, was a resistance corridor. Many civilians in this area were killed by UNLF forces,” she said. Hon. Babalanda commended the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs for empowering war-affected communities and veterans.
Hon. Alice Kaboyo, Minister of State for Luwero Triangle/Rwenzori Region, praised the courage of Ugandans who sacrificed their lives for Uganda’s development.
She called upon leaders to promote peace and unity for socio-economic transformation. “Uganda has made significant strides despite its history of insecurity and instability. We appreciate your great sacrifice and that of other gallant sons of Uganda, some of whom paid with their lives to restore sanity,” she said.
Hon. Kaboyo added that she has been empowering veterans across the country, economically supporting hundreds of families.
Hajji Edrisa Ssedunga, National Chairman of Luwero Triangle War Veterans Association, thanked President Museveni for leading the struggle that brought the NRM government to power in 1986. He acknowledged the peace, security, and development ushered in by the current government and appreciated the efforts to fight poverty through wealth creation initiatives. The veterans requested President Museveni to run for the presidency again in 2026 and pledged their support.
Hajji Ssedunga also thanked Gen. Museveni for offering gratuity (akasiimo) to veterans and asked him to continue supporting them.
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