A bitter land dispute has erupted in the heart of Kampala after city businessman Moses Namatiti dragged Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and tycoon Hamis Kiggundu to court over alleged land grabbing and the controversial demolition of property near St. Balikuddembe Market, commonly known as Owino Market. Through his company Namex Ministries Limited, Namatiti has filed […]
A bitter land dispute has erupted in the heart of Kampala after city businessman Moses Namatiti dragged Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and tycoon Hamis Kiggundu to court over alleged land grabbing and the controversial demolition of property near St. Balikuddembe Market, commonly known as Owino Market.
Through his company Namex Ministries Limited, Namatiti has filed Civil Suit No. 0049 of 2026 in the High Court, accusing the two businessmen of plotting an illegal demolition and attempting to take over land his company has occupied for nearly two decades.
The suit also lists Kampala District Land Board, Kampala Capital City Authority, and Kiham Enterprises Uganda Limited as co-defendants.
How the dispute started
According to court documents filed by Kintu Nteza & Co. Advocates, the conflict traces back to 2007 when Namex Ministries says it partnered with Nakivubo Settlement Primary School to construct sanitation facilities for the school community.
The school’s management committee reportedly approached the company seeking assistance to build a modern convenience facility for students, teachers and their families.
Namex says it agreed to finance the project on the understanding that it would be allowed to develop commercial stalls, offices, stores and public sanitation facilities on the western edge of the school land adjacent to Owino Market.
The proposal was later presented to the then Kampala City Council for approval.
Court records indicate that the council, through the Senior Principal Town Clerk, approved the project and provided architectural drawings, a bill of quantities and a letter authorizing commencement of construction.
Namex says it went ahead and constructed a four-storey commercial structure according to the approved specifications, benefiting both the school and the surrounding community.
The company maintains that it has occupied and operated on the land continuously since 2007.
Night demolition sparks legal battle
The dispute escalated dramatically on the night of March 7, 2026.
Namex Ministries claims that businessman Hamis Kiggundu, commonly known as Ham, deployed security operatives, hired goons and heavy machinery to demolish the buildings.
The company alleges the demolition was carried out without due process and that merchandise inside the premises was looted during the operation.
Lawyers for Namex accuse Kiggundu of acting with “impunity, greed and land grabbing” when the demolition was executed in the early hours of the morning.
Fraud allegations over Tayebwa’s land title
In the same suit, Namex accuses the Kampala District Land Board of fraudulently issuing a land title to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for the contested land.
The company argues that the land was already occupied and developed by Namex for nearly two decades, making it unavailable for leasing.
According to the suit, the title issued to Tayebwa is therefore illegal and void.
Namex is asking the court to:
Declare it the lawful owner of Plot 22A Nakivubo Road
Cancel Tayebwa’s certificate of title on grounds of fraud and illegality
Order Hamis Kiggundu to pay Shs5 billion in compensation for damages resulting from the demolition.
The case has been assigned to Justice Damalie Lwanga, the Head of the Land Division of the High Court, for management and hearing.
Court documents show the defendants have 15 days to file their defence.
“Should you fail to file a defence on or before the date mentioned, the plaintiff may proceed with the suit and judgment may be given in your absence,” the court summons warns.
Tayebwa distances himself from the demolition
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has publicly distanced himself from the demolition, saying he no longer owns the disputed land.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Tayebwa confirmed that he acquired a lease for land in the Nakivubo area in 2018, but insisted the process was fully lawful.
“This was done through the formal and legal processes available to any citizen, I applied, followed the stipulated procedures, and paid all requisite fees like anyone else,” Tayebwa wrote.
He explained that when he later submitted building plans, KCCA informed him the land was needed for strategic public purposes.
According to Tayebwa, the authority offered compensation which he accepted.
“KCCA went ahead and took possession of the land approximately three years ago. As a result, I no longer own the said land and hold no interest whatsoever in it.”
He emphasized that he has no legal claim or involvement in the property today and therefore could not have ordered any eviction or demolition.
Tayebwa also rejected claims that he acquired the land because of his current office, noting that the lease was obtained years before he became Deputy Speaker.
Arrests already made over demolition
The controversy comes as authorities have already charged and remanded four individuals to Luzira Prison over the same demolition.
The suspects are accused of carrying out the demolition without authorization from city authorities, adding another layer of complexity to the high-profile land dispute now before court.
