Outspoken Lwemiyaga County legislator, Mr. Theodore Ssekikubo, has stated that his political opponents are using a family’s land dispute with a landlord to tarnish his reputation.
The dispute revolves around a 623-acre piece of land in Ntyazo Village, Nyabitanga Sub County, Lwemiyaga County, of which Mr. Ssekikubo acquired 180 acres.
The late Ezekiel Rwankanyuzi’s family alleges that Mr. Ssekikubo abandoned their quest to reclaim the entire 623 acres from Mr. Cresensio Mukasa Bagaruhayo, instead opting to purchase part of the same land from him.
Mr. Ssekikubo clarified that he purchased the land after legal battles confirmed Mr. Bagaruhayo’s ownership of Buddu Block 31, Plot 1. He stated that Mr. Bagaruhayo had agreed to allocate 300 acres to the late Rwankanyuzi’s family, who also occupied the land. However, due to misinformation from his political rivals, the family rejected the offer.
“I personally took legal action, but when we lost the case to Bagaruhayo, I realized we needed to negotiate. To regain my portion, I had to give 68 cows to the landlord. The Rwankwanyuzi family chose to continue fighting, and the landlord eventually evicted them,” Mr. Ssekikubo explained.
He also criticized Brig Gen Emmanuel Rwashande, the chief of civil-military cooperation in UPDF, for allegedly exploiting the Ntwazo land dispute for political gain in the upcoming 2026 general election.
“I’ve heard that [Brig Rwashande] wants to run for Lwemiyaga County. He should resign from the army and enter politics; I am prepared for the challenge,” he said. He encouraged those with evidence of land misappropriation to pursue legal action.
Mr. Bagaruhayo confirmed selling 180 acres of land to Mr. Ssekikubo in Ntwazo Village, expressing no issues with him and inviting claimants to go to court.
Brig Rwashande clarified that his involvement in the land dispute was due to his role in the UPDF, denying any political ambitions in Lwemiyaga County.
“I cannot run for MP as I am still an active military officer. I have served for a long time and plan to retire. I am addressing my responsibilities as the chief of civil-military cooperation in UPDF. I advise Bagarugayo’s group to stop harassing land occupants and await the Supreme Court verdict,” he stated.
Sembabule, like other districts in central Uganda such as Luweero, Nakaseke, Kayunga, and Mubende, continues to experience land disputes.
