• Religious Affairs
• By: Ashiraf Zziwa

Migyeera Town Council officials led by the LC III Chairperson Mr. Tony Mukiibi met at Kyabacwezi village in Nakasongolo District on October 25th, 2023 to resolve a long-standing land dispute between Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and the family of the late Eriasaf Kasozi. UMSC was represented by a team from the headquarters, led by Hon. Nasser Musa Odongkara, the head of Awqaf (Endowment) department.
The other members of the team included Hon. Yaziid Katureebe, the UMSC Administrative Secretary and the in charge of Human Resource, as well as Sheikh Habib Kikabi alias Sheikh Mululi, the Kadhi of Nakasongolo Muslim District, along with other officials, including Hon. Kassimu Ddimba the area Member of the General Assembly and District Executives.
The family members of the late Kasozi were also present. According to UMSC officials, the dispute started when the late Kasozi, who was a neighbor to the UMSC farm, illegally took a considerable portion of the farm land. He began using this land for various agricultural activities, including animal farming.
Testimonies in the meeting, including one from elder Haj Abubakar Mukasa, the former UMSC District Chairman, revealed that the late Kasozi had been instructed by area Muslim leaders to cease these activities, but he continued to occupy the land until his death. His sons subsequently maintained their occupation, frequently changing ownership of the land. The meeting began with hostility as the late Kasozi’s grandchildren and the area LC Chairperson, John Kasozi, appeared confrontational and refused to sign the attendance list but eventually complied.
Mr. Tony Mukibi, the Local Chairperson 3 was Session Chair, along with the Town Clerk, Mr. Swidiq Muyinda, ASP Eva Namulondo, the O.C Migyeera Police Station, and other district security personnel, informed attendees that the decisions reached in the meeting would be presented to the District Security Committee, headed by the Resident District Commissioner, for implementation.
John Kasozi, the LC I chairperson expressed hostility towards UMSC and insisted the land belonged to Kasozi’s family without presenting any proof. He mentioned allowing a road to be constructed through the farm land and permitting a Muslim family to settle on the farm. He claimed this was done to help the “suffering” Muslim family.

Elder Haj Abubakar Mukasa and Sheikh Kikabi explained how they made efforts to find a solution, including defining land boundaries, but their efforts were hindered by the LC Chairperson. The family of the late Eriasaf Kasozi failed to provide convincing evidence of land ownership and presented conflicting information about when they came to own it. Area elders and the former LC Chairperson confirmed that the land belonged to UMSC, pointing out that it was fenced with barbed wires from the 1970s to the late 1990s.
The meeting concluded with the decision to schedule another meeting where both parties will present all documents related to the disputed land for a final decision on land boundaries. Hon. Nasser Musa Odongkara and Hon. Yaziiid Katureebe expressed gratitude for the way the leaders handled the matter and promised to present a report to the relevant UMSC organs, particularly regarding compensation.