However, speaking on phone, Bishop Kagodo has denied any involvement, describing the attackers as self-seekers trying to use his name for their selfish gains. “The Ntaawo land is not under my jurisdiction, and I have no reason to fight for it,” he explained.
A bloody incident has unfolded as a group of goons allegedly pounced on and robbed the administrators over a contentious land dispute on land belonging to the family of the late Hamu Mukasa, one of the pioneer ‘Ssekiboobos’ (Mengo government chief for Kyaggwe County).
The violent confrontation highlights the growing tensions surrounding land ownership and the need for effective dispute resolution mechanisms. The dispute between the family of Ham Mukasa and the Anglican Church on the over 600 acres has taken a deadly turn after goons attacked family administrators, leaving them severely injured, destroying their vehicle, and allegedly stealing millions of shillings.
According to Fahad Mutumba, one of the administrators, the incident occurred on Sunday 7th September 2025 when they visited the land to plan construction of offices. The attackers allegedly claimed to have been hired by Bishop Enos Kitto Kagodo of Mukono Diocese.
“We had come to clear land for setting up an office, after being tipped that grabbers and con men were using our land to steal from people. We were however attacked, beaten up and had our car windows smashed, in addition to being robbed,” Mutumba narrated.
However, speaking on phone, Bishop Kagodo has denied any involvement, describing the attackers as self-seekers trying to use his name for their selfish gains. “The Ntaawo land is not under my jurisdiction, and I have no reason to fight for it,” he explained.
The family administrators have expressed disgust at the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development’s slow response to their case, which has been pending since 2023 when they made the complaint over improper issuance of a land title on their land.
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“We made a complaint in 2023 and they gave us a hearing date where we had to go for a public hearing but after over 18 months of waiting, nothing is coming out,” he said.
Ham Galabuzi Mukasa, another administrator, fears the ministry’s foot dragging may be a collusion with the church to deny them justice.
“For over one and half years, we have been waiting for the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development to release a report on our case, but despite repeated reminders, they’ve kept quiet. It’s disheartening and makes us wonder if there’s no conspiracy with the church to deny us justice,” says Galabuzi.
While some Ntaawo residents appreciate the land clearing, which they believe will reduce crime and improve safety, they condemn the violent methods used by the goons.
“This is a good gesture giving hope that we may realize some sanity in the area infested with robbers and rapists, but the goons have painted a bad image on our village,” said Luwangula Isa, a resident.
The dispute is testimony of the escalating levels of land grabbing in Uganda, affecting not only individuals but also institutions like the church.
Similar cases have been reported in other parts of the country, underlining the need for government intervention to resolve these disputes and ensure justice.
Efforts to get a ministerial comment on the matter were futile.