Bishop Zziwa warns against reclaiming land donated to church

Kassanda, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Catholic Diocese Dr. Joseph Anthony Zziwa has criticized people for reclaiming land donated to the church by well-wishers.

Many people have been donating land to the church over the years, which has enabled it to construct churches, schools, and health centers among others. Unfortunately, most of the people who donated land to the church over 80 years ago have already died.

Bishop Zziwa said that the grandchildren are misinterpreting the decision of the well-wishers to claim part of the land. He cited Busubizi parish Church land, which was donated by the chiefs and individuals who are now deceased, but people are currently claiming the same land.

Meeting leaders in Kassanda district on Wednesday, Bishop Zziwa also cited a case involving one of the parishes where a deceased church member donated 5 acres but long after, a grandchild came out to claim the same land. He has tasked the church members and the authorities to talk to the claimants of the church land to desist in order to allow the community and the country to develop.

The Kassanda District Woman Member of Parliament Flavia Nabagabe said that they are working to help victims of land disputes with legal services as well as helping the people to acquire land titles to strengthen their ownership.

The former Kassanda Member of Parliament, Simeo Nsubuga decried the rampant cases of land disputes involving the church and the families of the deceased persons who donated land to the institution. Nsubuga said that the church is currently embroiled in numerous disputes with its members who are challenging the decision of their forefathers who donated the land.

He suggested that the church should now embark on surveying its land to acquire titles with demarcations planted on the boundaries.

While offering sacraments to pupils at Manyogeseka Primary School, Kassanda district, Bishop Zziwa castigated the mentality, attitude, and mindset of people saying they have caused worry in society. He also challenged the authorities to speed up the review of the law prohibiting homosexuality saying that the perpetrators are working hard to spread their interest to the detriment of morality in Ugandan society.

Bishop Zziwa also cautioned parents to protect and guide their children to desist from being lured into the dangerous acts of homosexuality saying that they are being attracted with money at the risk of their lives.

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