Leadership without character is like a river without banks—a force that destroys what it should sustain.” That warning echoes across Kimaka Cell, Jinja, where outgoing Butembe MP David Livingstone Zijjan’s contested sale of three acres claimed by Jinja Nile Resort has residents questioning whose interests power really serves.
“The truth of the matter is that we know the land belongs to Jinja Nile Resort and to the best of our knowledge anybody else purporting to have bought the land is a joker and liar,” LC1 chairperson Vincent Makanga Mayega says.
Councilor-elect for the elderly to Southern Division Patrick Musinguzi, a 50‑year resident, adds: “This is not a small company that should be tampered with, considering its strategic importance in the promotion of tourism and trade in Jinja City and Uganda as a whole.”
The Southern Division Mayor-elect Simon Kasirye who visited the site was equally perturbed that those meant to promote and encourage foreign investors are the very ones frustrating.
“Why on earth should a leader engage in such fraudulent activity, now who should the investors run to, it is unacceptable and we shall do everything to ensure this is reversed…”, Kasirye who takes over in May said.
A visit by The Exposure Uganda (TEU)reporter found private security guards hired by Mada Holdings Uganda Ltd literally in charge. There is a functional guard house and sanitary facilities to ensure no criminal trespass or encroachment by anyone.
Long-serving Mada Holdings Director Rakesh Pant says the company bought the plot on 30 April 2007 from late James Kiili, witnessed by Martha Apolot of Okalang Law Chambers, LC1 chief Emmanuel Bangaya and Kiili’s widow Regina Chandiru.
It was reported that Hon Zijjan sold the land in question on 19 June 2025 (the same day that Mada holdings Ltd had reported a case of criminal trespass by some unknown youth), to the twin sons (names withheld) of the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Anette Anita Among and was witnessed by Musongola Advocates and Solicitors.
“…we understand that the same certificate of title under LAF JJ/4387 freehold register Volume JJA1169 Folio 4 has been transferred to the names of the twin children who are minors” Rakesh said while on site.
He says they have injected money and will not allow anyone, regardless of the status to intimidate them into surrender but quickly wonders why police files (CRB 455/2025, CRB 456/2025) opened after youth raids in June have not escalated to the courts of law.
However, Hon Zijjan counters by phone: “I buy and sell land with credible and genuine documents and people, so whoever is linking my name to such allegation does not know that I am an honest and transparent person.”
He claims he purchased from Pande Sosupateli and Jessica Nakiwala on 13 May 2025; sources say the pair admitted being paid UGX 4 million each to sign papers they did not understand.
Background.
According to Sale Agreement whose copy was obtained by this publication, the now deceased Kili James of P.O.Box 2070 Jinja sold the land to Mada Holdings Uganda Ltd represented by Rakesh Pant at 8 Million Uganda shillings.
The transaction that featured Ms. Jimia, Evaristo and Juma as immediate neighbors was done in the presence of M/s Okalang Law Chambers.
In the Agreement, Kili James as ‘Vendor’ warranted that he had the lawful title to the said land and undertook to refund 8 million Ugandan shillings plus additional penalty of 10 million Uganda shillings and indemnify the ‘purchaser’ for any loss that may occasion and result due to any defect in the ‘vendors’ title to the said land.
The Allegations.
According to Rakesh Pant who executed the deal on behalf of Mada Holdings Uganda Ltd, the company bought the land on 30 April, 2007 and has been in possession of it since then.
Rakesh says the transaction was witnessed by Martha Apolot of M/S Okalang Law Chambers and Legal Consultants, the area LC1 chairperson the late Emmanuel Bangaya and Regina Chandiru wife to the late Kiili, among others.
However, on 19th June 2025, its reported that a group of irate youth stormed the property, claiming ownership and ordering the guards to leave.
The Company through Rakesh reported the incident to the police and a case was opened up Vide ref:144/19/06/2025, later CRB 455/2025 after recording a statement from the reporter Ambrose Okori one of the guards affected in the night raid.
A few days later on 23 June 2025 a case file of Criminal Trespass (CT) Vide SD ref: 127/23/6/2025 later CRB 456/2025 was reported by Joseph Igodobe said to be a brother to Hon Zijjan and a resident of Wanyange, Northern Division in Jinja City
Detectives led by the Officer in Charge (OC)Criminal Investigation Department (CID)Detective Superintendent of Police(D/SP) Loy Gift Namono visited the scene of crime and recorded statements from witnesses with relevant accompanying documents.
Local leaders and neighboring residents who were interviewed confirmed to detectives that for more than 15 years they knew the land in dispute belonged to the hotel and were shocked another person is also claiming ownership.
The survivors of the late James Kiili who sold the land to Mada Holdings Ltd also confirmed that he had earlier in 1991 bought the land from a one Benjamin Joseph.
Reports say Hon Zijjan was also invited through his brother Joseph Igodobe by the police at CPS Jinja to furnish them with information and he accordingly recorded a statement.
Hon Zijjan told detectives he bought the same land from a one Pande Sosupateli and Jessica Nakiwala on 13 May,2025 which was witnessed by Rwabugaire Dan Advocates.
The certificate of title bears the name of Pande Sosupateli and Jessica Nakiwala as first re registered proprietor who allegedly sold it to Hon Zijjan.
Upon interrogation, reports say the two were actually induced with 4 million shillings each to sign documents which they did not understand the content and implications.
Hon Zijjan’s Response:
In a phone interview, Hon Zijjan said “…I buy and sell land with credible and genuine documents and people, so whoever is linking my name to such allegation does not know that I am an honest and transparent person…”.
Hon Zijjan who will cease to be the Butembe MP in a few days’ time claimed that he bought the land from Pande Sosupateli and Jessica Nakiwala who sold it to him without any encumbrance.
Investigation Stalled:
The police acted swiftly by launching an investigation into the matter unearthing glaring anomalies and Hon Zijjan has recorded a statement. Local leaders
Rakesh Pant says in spite of the hullabaloo, Mada Holdings Uganda is in possession and that they are ready and prepared to defend their rights as investors who are in good books with the government of Uganda led by President Yoweri Museveni.
According to Mada Holdings Uganda Ltd Director, this was a calculated maneuver by Hon Zijjan to undermine relevant authorities since the matter was still under investigations.
Further Frustrations:
Attempts by Mada Holdings for a Public hearing with the Commissioner Land Registrations did not yield any tangible results as on two occasions no representative from Hon Zijjan surfaced and instead was making moves behind the scene to move ahead with his land transactions.
The directors and management of Mada Holdings Uganda say they are disappointed that despite a very clear and loud message by President Yoweri Museveni to woo foreign investors to Uganda, a handful of unpatriotic people are using their positions to frustrate the same.
“…we are shocked and disturbed that some individuals are so powerful and connected that they can easily circumvent all systems to get what they want at all costs and even officials in government offices cow down for fear of reprisals…”, Rakesh laments.
But Hon Zijjan is not bothered saying he does not know anything that Mada leaders are saying since he has never handled any land matter or transactions linked or connected to the company and hotel.
Escalation To President Museveni.
Management of Mada Holdings Uganda Ltd have vowed to escalate the matter to the highest office in the land by petitioning President Yoweri Museveni to intervene.
They are just waiting for the Big Man to be sworn in on 12th May,2026 and find ways of submitting their petition to State House since it appears the police and court officials fear the matter.
“…we badly need this land for expansion because we have innovations that require more space and the fact that we injected money is a good enough factor that will not allow us to surrender…” Rakesh vowed.
Jinja City’s land Controversy Hotspot:
The case is just one of the many chronic land-related conflicts that have plagued Jinja city, earning it a reputation as one of the most contentious land dispute hubs in Uganda, second only to Wakiso and Kampala.
Insiders reveal that top public and civil servants are often embroiled in these disputes driven by the lure of easy money or pressure from powerful government officials.
The plot has now thickened with the revelation that Hon Zijjan has allegedly involved the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Anita Among in this land dispute.
The speaker being the third-highest official and now a senior member of the NRM who sits in the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC)in Uganda has significant influence and her involvement has just added fuel to the fire.
As to whether investigation will continue or not, Jinja city residents and investors, particularly Mada Holdings Uganda Ltd are watching with bated breath wondering if justice will really prevail.
