No Longer at Ease: Kiggundu-Kabaka Impasse Deepens as the King now wants Ham Towers Title Cancelled

Buganda Kingdom has asked the ministry of lands to effect the cancellation of the land title comprised in plot 923, block 9. The land title houses Ham Towers opposite Makerere University in Wandegeya. The kingdom, through Buganda Land Board argues that the plot was illegally created after an illegal subdivision of Kabaka’s land on plot 440, block 9, to create plot 923.

The kingdom also cites alleged illegalities reportedly committed during the acquisition of the land by the proprietor, city businessman Hamis Kiggundu aka Ham Kiggundu, from the defunct Kampala City Council (KCC) which by law, was not the controlling authority. Impeccable sources have it that a search conducted by Kabaka`s people at the Lands Ministry shows that block 9 plot 440 out of which plot 923 was created is still registered in the names of the Kabaka of Buganda, by virtue of his office.

However, a status search of the disputed land (block 9, plot 923) at the same Lands Ministry showed no results, yet the system shows that Kabaka’s official mailo is still intact. Despite showing no results, we can authoritatively write that the disputed title is among the titles Ham Kiggundu has before, used in securing the known loans to his name, from financial facilities like Exim Bank and Orient Bank, at least to go with court documents in public arena.

Details before us indicate that the kingdom first wrote to Ham Kiggundu`s Ham Enterprises, urging it to regularise its tenancy on the land. However, the entity supposedly, adamantly refused to heed Buganda Land Board’s call. Not done, the kingdom wrote to the Ministry asking it to cancel the title. And the latest is that the same kingdom has now reinforced their call for the ministry to instantaneously effect the cancellation.

Not Safe: Ham Towers opposite Makerere University (Courtesy Photo)

We spoke to the BLB Spokesperson Dennis Bugaya. And according to him, all people who have illegally acquired land titles on kingdom land are first advised to go to them (BLB) and regularise their tenancy. “When negotiations fail, we then resort to petitioning the ministry of lands for cancellation. In the matter of Mr Kiggundu, we fist talked to him and he was non responsive. We then petitioned for cancellation and we are optimistic that the commissioner at the ministry will soon start the [cancellation] process.”

He affirmed further thus; “We have been following up this matter regularly and we hope the cancellation process will start soon.” This is not the only land that Buganda has accused Ham Kiggundu of grabbing. It should be remembered that Buganda has already asked the ministry of lands to cancel his Kigo land titles which they say, were illegally created as Free hold WAK 6104, folio 25, Kyadondo block 273, plots 23974, 23975 and 23976 over Kabaka’s mailo land block of 273.

Earlier, The Ag. Commissioner for Land Registration, Baker Mugaino had ordered for cancellation of Kiggundu’s title, saying that there was an overlay title against titles that were issued earlier. Consequently, Kiggundu dragged the Kabaka to court over the matter and it is pending before court. Efforts to reach Ham Kiggundu for his take on the matter were as usual, futile as he has never picked our calls and or, ever returned any.

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Stanley Ndawula: Stanley Ndawula is a two and a half decades’ seasoned investigative journalist with a knack for serious crimes investigations and reporting. He’s the Founding Editorial Director and CEO at The Investigator Publications (U) Limited