A land dispute involving a 10-square-mile piece of land at Lyantonde Ranch Number 15 in Kabula, Lyantonde District, has sparked tension after a family challenged an individual’s claim to customary inheritance of the contested property.
The dispute involves Mugisha Masasane, who claims to have legally purchased the land from Incafex Company in 2022 and holds ownership documents, including a land title.
Masasane says he has occupied and utilised the property since acquiring it but recently became concerned after private security guards were allegedly deployed on the land by Alwyn Musinguzi, who also claims ownership.
According to Masasane, Musinguzi’s claim is reportedly based on his alleged status as the customary heir of the late Musinguzi Garugas.
However, members of the late Garugas’ family have challenged the claim, insisting that Musinguzi was never appointed or recognised by the family as the rightful customary heir.
The competing claims have heightened tensions in the area, with some residents reportedly strengthening security amid fears that the dispute could escalate.
Masasane maintains that he lawfully acquired the property and questions why another individual would allegedly deploy security personnel on land he has occupied for the past four years.
The dispute has also raised questions about the ownership of the property, the validity of the documents presented by the parties and the circumstances under which the alleged customary inheritance claim was made.
Efforts to obtain a response from Musinguzi regarding the allegations, as well as clarification from Incafex Company and the relevant land authorities, would help establish the circumstances surrounding the dispute.
Land ownership disputes remain a concern in Uganda, particularly where claims arising from customary inheritance conflict with registered ownership.
However, the claims by the parties in the Lyantonde dispute have not been independently verified, and no determination of ownership has been established in the information available.
