Muhoozi moves to Arrest Lands Minister Sam Mayanja

Minister Sam Mayanja

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) chairman, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly called for the arrest of State Minister for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja, in a move likely to ignite fresh political tension within President Yoweri Museveni’s government. 

In a blunt post on X (formerly Twitter) at 2:19 p.m. on August 6, 2025, Gen. Muhoozi wrote: “I will request Mzee for the arrest of the Minister of State for Lands!” The use of “Mzee” is a common reference to President Museveni, signalling Muhoozi’s intention to formally press the Head of State for action against the minister. 

 Dr. Mayanja, a veteran lawyer and pastor, has been at the centre of several high-profile land disputes, most notably with the Buganda Kingdom over the contested Kaazi land, and in legal wrangles involving the Uganda Scouts Association. 

In June 2025, the High Court ruled that Mayanja had no authority to direct Police to arrest or prosecute suspects, a decision that further fueled public debate over his ministerial powers. 

Although Muhoozi did not state the reasons for his call, the timing comes amid continued controversy over the Ministry of Lands’ handling of sensitive property cases, accusations of interference in cultural land affairs, and ongoing petitions to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit regarding alleged illegal land takeovers. 

Gen. Muhoozi is known for making direct and often provocative social media statements which, in many cases, have later translated into real-world outcomes. 

His latest post is already sparking speculation that Dr. Mayanja could soon face formal investigations. 

Dr. Mayanja, appointed Minister of State for Lands in 2021, has championed land reforms such as the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) program, which aims to issue free land titles and digitise land services. However, his confrontational approach toward the Buganda Land Board and vocal stance on the abolition of the mailo land system have made him a polarising figure in national politics. 

Neither the Ministry of Lands nor the Office of the President has issued an official response to Muhoozi’s remarks. 

Efforts to reach Dr. Mayanja for comment were unsuccessful by press time. 

If acted upon, Muhoozi’s call could escalate tensions between the military-political bloc he represents and key civilian figures in Museveni’s Cabinet, setting the stage for yet another high-stakes showdown in government