The planned boundary opening of disputed land in Mpunge Sub-county, Mukono District, failed on Thursday after a large number of angry residents resisted the process.
The ownership of the 645-acre land is contested by over 10,000 residents and the Uganda Land Commission (ULC).
Last month, the government issued a boundary opening notification to the residents, setting the date for July 11.
However, the exercise was blocked by aggrieved residents, who prevented the team of land surveyors from entering the contested land.
The residents demanded the intervention of the Minister of Lands to resolve the matter, insisting they should not be treated like non-Ugandans.
Yazid Senkali, a resident of Sanga, criticized the lack of consultation, noting that they had secured titles from the district land board and questioned why ULC was proceeding without their input.
Leading the surveyors, Arthur Akanga reassured the residents that the purpose of their visit was to open boundaries and not to evict anyone, but to identify any unoccupied land for government use.
“Our presence is not to evict anyone. We have orders to locate free land for government use and leave the rest to the locals,” Akanga said.
Residents expressed concerns about cultural sites, including burial sites and historical trees, which they fear could be lost.
The dispute dates back to 2021 when Senegalese-American singer Akon visited Uganda and received a promise of land from President Museveni to build a futuristic city.
