Entebbe, Wakiso District – A heartbreaking land dispute has unfolded in Entebbe, Wakiso District, where a landowner Nsubuga Charles is fighting to reclaim his property after unscrupulous individuals allegedly took advantage of the vulnerability of Ms. Christine Kijjambu to forge tenancy agreements ostensibly with a caretaker.
The previous owner of the land, Ms. Christine Kijjambu suffered a severe stroke, and was left incapacitated and unable to manage her affairs between December 2020 until early 2024 paving the way for a local garage owner, Cliff Kibeedi, to extend his tenancy on her land illegally. This land, which she has now sold to Nsubuga Charles is at the center of this land dispute pitting powerful security personnel within Entebbe, Government parastatals, Kibeedi and a one Rachel Mubiru against the owner Nsubuga Charles, and the previous owner Christine Kijjambu.
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Kibeedi, the owner of Mech Plus Engineering, a garage that services vehicles for state parastatals such as the National Medical Stores (NMS), Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), and the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), had been renting a 100 by 50-foot piece of land from Kijjambu since November 2017. Their tenancy agreement was set to expire in November 2020, but before Kijjambu could address the renewal, disaster struck.
While Kijjambu was hospitalized, struggling for her life in the Intensive Care Unit after suffering a stroke, it is alleged that Kibeedi, along with his bosom friend, the alleged caretaker, Racheal Mubiru, took advantage of her absence. In what appears to be a calculated move, they extended the lease agreement not just for one more year, but pushed it forward until 2023—and ultimately until 2028—without Kijjambu’s knowledge or consent. All agreements were witnessed by Kibeedi’s garage mechanics, wife and Ms Mubiru. It is said that in 2017, it is Rachel Mubiru who introduced Kibeedi to Kijjambu with a request to rent a piece of the land measuring 50ft x 100 ft to Kibeedi to set up a temporary garage for three years.
Upon Kijjambu’s recovery, she sold the land to Charles Nsubuga to help cover her mounting medical bills. Nsubuga, who had purchased the property in good faith, was stunned to learn that the land he had bought was still being occupied by Kibeedi, who claimed a lease until 2028. This unexpected and illegal extension of the tenancy left Nsubuga unable to take possession of the property he had rightfully acquired, sparking a legal battle.
Kijjambu, now finds herself in an even worse predicament: struggling to regain control of her property while dealing with the overwhelming financial burden of her medical bills.
Under Ugandan land laws, a caretaker cannot make any decisions or enter into any lease agreements without the consent of the landowner. However, Kibeedi has reportedly remained on the land, refusing to vacate despite the legal stipulations and the rightful ownership of Kijjambu. In the meantime, Nsubuga has been forced to seek legal redress, hoping that the court will ultimately recognize the illegal nature of the tenancy and allow him to take possession of the property.
Adding to the complexity of the case, reports have surfaced indicating possible political interference. The Entebbe Sub-District Deputy RDC, Hakeem Kirigwa, has reportedly been linked to the case, raising concerns that political figures may be playing a role in protecting the illegal occupant. Efforts by Kijjambu and Nsubuga to involve the police and secure access to the land have reportedly been blocked, with law enforcement allegedly unwilling to act. These developments have prompted suspicions of collusion between the illegal occupant and local authorities.
Currently, the matter is in the hands of the High Court Commercial Division Civil Suit No. 0106 of 2025, where the issue of illegal trespass is at the forefront of the legal proceedings. This case has brought significant attention to the issue of land rights in Uganda, with questions being raised about the involvement of state corporations, which have vehicles stored at Kibeedi’s garage on the disputed land. The presence of government-owned vehicles in the garage only adds to the gravity of the situation, as it implies state involvement in the illegal occupation of the land.
Kijjambu, who has endured both a life-threatening illness and trespass on her property, now faces a protracted legal battle in hopes of helping the new owner to reclaim what is rightfully his. As the case continues to unfold, Kijjambu and Nsubuga remain determined that justice will prevail, allowing them to regain control of the land and hold those responsible for this exploitation accountable.
This ongoing legal conflict serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges that landowners, especially those who are vulnerable, face in Uganda. It underscores the need for stronger protections against fraud and exploitation, ensuring that no one, especially the sick or elderly, is taken advantage of when they are most vulnerable.
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