Gen. Salim Saleh intervenes in Mpologoma Clan leader’s burial
Lwadda hill, Mpologoma clan ancestral grounds
Kampala August 30—The land wrangle between Mpologoma clan leaders, Buganda Land Board and Gen. Elly Kayanja has delayed the burial of the clan head, Wilson Ndawula Namuguzi Ssebuganda, for now over two weeks, as the military officer stood his ground not to allow the burial on his land.
Omut. Ndawula Namuguzi Ssebuganda, passed on August 14 2024 and clan leaders embarked on burial arrangements at the ancestral land at Lwadda hill in Matugga, Nansana municipality, Wakiso district, only to be stopped by Gen. Kayanja claiming ownership of the land.
The land which is over a square mile, is the ancestral land for the Mpologoma clan for now over 300 years.
The Buganda Land Board, well aware that the land belonged to the Mpologoma clan with clear cultural structures and sculptures of the clan, leased 25 acres of the land to Gen. Elly Kayanja.
Mpologoma clan leadership including the late Ndawula Ssebuganda, has been in a tag of war with the Buganda Kingdom leadership for now over 10years demanding it to cancel the lease given to Gen. Kayanja and return the land to the rightful owners, the Mpologoma clan. The Mengo leadership was reluctant to return the land to the clan.
Sources in the Mpologoma clan say, that since Gen. Kayanja stopped clan leaders from preparing the burial of the clan leader, talks have been going on between the Buganda Land Board, the Mengo leadership and Gen. Kayanja over the land but the military man stood his ground of not to surrender his land.
It was not until at the beginning of this week, that the General relaxed his stand, allegedly after the intervention of Gen. Salim Saleh, and allowed the clan to carry out the burial after which negotiation on land ownership will resume. Sources say Gen. Salim Saleh urged his colleague, Gen. Kayanja, to let the burial go ahead and continue negotiations with Mengo establishment.
At a meeting early this week at the Kingdom headquarters in Bulange Mengo, attended by the Buganda Attorney General, Christopher Bwanika, Minister for Land, David Mpanga, that of Heritage, Palaces and Tourism Anthoney Wamala and leaders of Mpologoma clan, Gen. Kayanja’s decision to allow the burial to go ahead was made to the clan leaders with a promise to solve the land problem soon.
After this meeting the Katikkiro of Mpologoma Clan, John Patrick Kisekka, announced that the burial (keeping) of the clan head will be held on Saturday August 31, 2024 at the ancestral grounds at Lwadda hill and preparations to “keep” the clan head resumed Tuesday with preparing a “Forest” where the disappeared clan leader will be organised.
Katikkiro Kisekka however told media that the clan does not recognise the leasehold of the land the Buganda Kingdom gave to Gen. Kayanja because the land belonged to the Mpologoma clan not to the Kingdom. He said that in the earlier negotiations, Gen. Kayanja had offered the Mpologoma clan 6 acres of the 25 acres he has lease on, but the clan rejected it saying that they want back the whole of their land.
Mpologoma clan leadership accused the Buganda Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, of being behind the grabbing and leasing their land to Gen. Kayanja.
The Mpologoma leadership further claims that whenever they approach the Buganda Land Board boss on cancelling Gen Kayanja’s leasehold of the Lwadda clan land, he refers them to Katikkiro Mayiga, as the only authority who can allow it and efforts to demand him to effect the cancellation has been in vein.
Since the demise of the Mpologoma clan leader and the wrangles over his burial, Katikkiro Mayiga, known for his enthusiasm at such big events especially those associated with culture and norms, has kept silence over this issue.
According to the Ganda norms, Omutaka Ndawula Namuguzi Ssebuganda is still the clan leader of Mpologoma clan. He will be taken to the “Forest” where powers of leadership will be transferred from him to the would be new clan leader (Okubikka Akabugo), then will be organised and wrapped in not less than 100 pieces of backcloth. He will then be taken to the not less than 15 feet deep grave (house) and as he is being lowered down, a new Mpologoma clan leader, will be installed, to complete the Ganda ritual of not leaving the clan throne vacant.
Gen. Salim Saleh intervenes in Mpologoma Clan leader’s burial
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum