(Wakiso) – A man who goes by the holy name of Pastor Jeff, real name Geofrey Kiiza Mwesige, found himself trading the comfort of his home pulpit for a cell in Luzira Prison. Pastor Jeff allegedly tried to forcefully evict the family of the late Abiyasaali Kasozi from their ancestral land in Kireka, Wakiso District, and while he was at it, decided to “bless” himself with some eucalyptus trees that had been growing there for over 40 years.
Now, this pastor didn’t just swing by with a few prayers and a bottle of holy oil. He came with a serious agenda. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t exactly one of those “heaven approved” plans, at least according to the laws of Uganda. The pastor appeared before Kira Chief Magistrates’ Court on September 24, 2024, and did what any self respecting accused man would do—he denied the charges.
Grade One Magistrate Susan Anyeo was unimpressed by Pastor Jeff’s theatrics and promptly sent him to Luzira to reflect on his “spiritual” mission until October 3, when he’ll be back in court. Perhaps by then, he’ll have a better sermon prepared.
Pastor Jeff, a 48 year old resident of Kirinya Main Zone, Bweyogerere, has been charged with attempting to evict the Kasozi family without any legal eviction order. It seems he didn’t get the memo about Uganda’s Land Act (Section 89, for those keeping score), which clearly outlines how one can’t just wave a Bible around and start evicting people. He’s also accused of destroying those eucalyptus trees—trees that the Kasozi family had tended like a prized banana plantation for over four decades.
Apparently, Pastor Jeff also has a few sticky fingers, as he’s facing charges of theft under the Penal Code Act. If found guilty, this man of the cloth could be looking at 10 years in the slammer, with an additional five years for his tree chopping escapades. Looks like those trees might have cost him more than just his reputation.
State attorney Edward Tweheyo assured the court that investigations are still ongoing. In the meantime, Pastor Jeff will have some time to reflect on his actions—and perhaps pray for a miracle or two.
Despite receiving orders from the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to stop his eviction attempts, the pastor decided to move forward, armed with an axe and a sense of impunity. According to the State House Anti Corruption Unit (SHACU), Pastor Jeff’s behavior flies directly in the face of President Museveni’s recent directive to landlords regarding the rights of bibanja holders (the tenants who hold occupancy rights under Uganda’s complex land laws).
For those unfamiliar with Uganda’s land drama, the bibanja holders are basically like that one cousin who shows up at every family event and stays forever—except they actually have legal rights. Back in June, President Museveni, in a move that made him the hero of the day for many tenants, directed landlords to halt illegal evictions. He also gave strict orders to landlords to stop charging exorbitant rent (known as obusuulu), which has been a huge headache for bibanja holders across the country.
Museveni’s message was clear: if you’re a landlord, you had better return that obusuulu to the tenants or be prepared to see the inside of a jail cell. But it seems Pastor Jeff missed that particular Sunday service where the President’s message was shared.
In a country where land is as valuable as a fresh Rolex (the Ugandan snack, not the watch), the issue of illegal evictions is a hot one. Since 1995, Uganda’s Constitution has emphasized that the land belongs to the people, reaffirming private ownership. However, it seems that some landlords, like our friend Pastor Jeff, have taken it upon themselves to interpret this in their own way.
| Accused | Age | Charges | Maximum Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geofrey Kiiza Mwesige | 48 | Illegal eviction, theft, and | 10 years for theft, |
| (aka Pastor Jeff) | destruction of property | 5 years for destruction |
Ugandans are once again reminded that, whether you’re a pastor, a landlord, or even a boda-boda rider, the law doesn’t care about your titles—it’s all about what you do. For now, Pastor Jeff will have to make do with Luzira’s version of “congregation” as he awaits his next court appearance. Perhaps he can use this time to work on his next sermon. Something along the lines of “Thou Shalt Not Chop Trees” might be a good start.
