By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
President Yoweri Museveni has called for the abolition of the mailo land tenure system in Uganda, citing it as the root cause of persistent land conflicts, especially in the central region and a major hindrance to national development.
Speaking during a media engagement with senior journalists at State House Lodge, Nakasero, Museveni said the colonial-era mailo land system is outdated and unfairly denies Bibanja holders their right to land ownership.
“The issue of mailo land was a historical mistake by the colonialists,” Museveni said. “We should phase it out, but in a win-win way so that tenants have their rights and landlords are not affected.”
The President’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the eviction of several Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries by landlords, particularly in Kampala. Many of these beneficiaries have pleaded for government protection and intervention.
Museveni linked the evictions to the complexity of the mailo system, stating that it disproportionately disadvantages tenants, even when they are actively trying to improve their livelihoods under government initiatives like PDM.
To support affected beneficiaries, the President pledged increased financial support to help them rent alternative land for business expansion. He specifically promised to buy land for Mzee Nalweyiso, a piggery farmer in Rubaga, and a group of poultry farmers in Kyambogo, Nakawa Division, who are facing eviction threats.
“For the meantime, what should be done is that when a beneficiary gets capital, they should hire land,” Museveni advised. “There are people willing to rent out land. I can’t buy land for everyone.”
The President also emphasized the importance of including street vendors and informal sector workers in government programs like the PDM, noting that they too deserve economic empowerment.
Addressing concerns about PDM beneficiaries relocating after receiving funds, Museveni clarified that the use of National IDs in the application process enables government to trace all recipients across districts.
Museveni lauded PDM as the most effective government poverty eradication effort so far, noting that it has produced faster and more tangible results than previous initiatives such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and NAADS.
“I am happy because this formula seems to be working better than the previous programs,” the President said, though acknowledging that Gen. Salim Saleh’s OWC was impactful but hampered by corrupt implementers.
Today, (Sunday 20th July,2025) President Museveni ended his PDM implementation tours in Kampala, addressing a public rally at Kololo Independence Grounds.
