KIBUULE SUCKED IN LAND ROW WITH CHURCH

Ronald Kibuule

By FRED MUZAALE

MUKONO- Water state minister Ronald Kibuule has been sucked in the land wrangle in Ntawo Village, Mukono District, where a mob attacked and attempted to lynch Church of Uganda bishops earlier in the week.
Police on Tuesday rescued the prelates led by Archbishop Stanley Ntagali from an irate mob that attacked them while coming from a tour of the one square mile piece of land that belongs to the church.

The land under contention is being developed by Uganda Christian University (UCU) on behalf of the church.
Mr Kibuule and Brig Proscovia Nalweyiso, the senior presidential advisor on defence and security, are among more than 800 people on the contested land.
Can Dr John Ssenyonyi, the UCU vice chancellor, alleged that the mob was mobilised by the two officials in a bid to frustrate their efforts.
“How can a powerful official in the army and government be among those trying to grab church land? They have money to buy land elsewhere but they are also acting like they are poor and want to get free land,” Dr Ssenyonyi wondered.
Mr Kibuule, who owns a home on the land, said the church should respect the land law which protects landlords and their tenants.
“I do not want to be a landlord because the rights I have are enough. And I am not the one fighting the Church but my landlord, Ham Mukasa,” said Mr Kibuule in an interview with Daily Monitor.
He added; “They (bishops) are hiding in God’s name to steal land. We shall resist such an attempt. The church cannot evict tenants illegally.”
Minister attacks bishops
He said: “The bishops disguised themselves by travelling in a bus which confused people to mistake them for land grabbers.”
Efforts to get a comment from Brig Nalweyiso were futile as her mobile telephone was unreachable.
On Wednesday, the police in Mukono apologised to the bishops for failing to provide security to them while touring the land. Mr Fred Ahimbisibwe, the district police commander, apologised over the Force’s failure to execute its mandate.
Archbishop Ntagali asked the residents who participated in the attack against the men of God to repent.
“We have forgiven them but they must repent,” said Archbishop Ntagali, adding that everyone should be a peace lover and a peace promoter because there will be judgment on the final day.
SOURCE: MONITOR