MP Rukaari Vows to Rescue King of Kings Church Land as District Eviction Threats Intensify

MP Rukaari, Kibaju as they receive blessing from Bishop Silas and other Religious leaders

Amos Tayebwa – Mbarara

The tug-of-war over the land housing King of Kings Church at Kamukuzi Hill has taken a dramatic turn, with Mbarara City North MP Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari vowing to personally ensure the church secures full ownership—despite persistent eviction threats from Mbarara District Local Government.

For years, Bishop Silas Tayebwa’s King of Kings Church has battled to obtain a lease from the district, their official landlord.

Applications have been filed, meetings held, letters written—but the district leadership has refused to budge. Bishop Tayebwa insists the church is being treated unfairly simply because it is Pentecostal, yet it provides the same spiritual and community services as churches that freely received land from government.

Bishop Silas Tayebwa

“Ruharo St. James Cathedral, Nyamitanga Cathedral, Uganda Martyrs Church—these all got government land. Why not King of Kings? We all serve God and the public,” Tayebwa said, calling for religious and political fairness.

Addressing thousands gathered at Kamukuzi Grounds during the launch of GN Radio, a new station under King of Kings Church, MP Rukaari declared that the battle for the land will be won before the 15 January 2026 polls.

“I called the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Magyezi,” Rukaari told the crowd. “We are meeting next week. We must get a letter giving us our land. I got land for Uganda Martyrs Church—I cannot fail to get land for King of Kings. There is no reason this district should give land to investors and deny it to a church that is also an investor.”

Rukaari praised Bishop Silas as not just a preacher but a major investor who has poured resources into GN TV, GN Radio and community outreach, saying such a leader deserves government support rather than frustration.

Bishop Tayebwa revealed he has already raised the matter with the President, insisting King of Kings needs secure tenure at Kamukuzi Hill where they intend to build a mega church and other public-benefit projects. He said their ministry serves communities across Mbarara and the greater western region and should not be pushed off land already allocated to faith institutions in the past.

“The government gave land to the Catholics, Protestants and Muslims in Mbarara. We offer the same services. Why are we being sidelined? There is no reason to push my followers to buy new land when we are already seated on government land. Let no one fight us because of land,” he said. “But I assure my people—we will get this land.”

The showdown now heads to Kampala, where MP Rukaari and Bishop Silas hope their meeting with Minister Magyezi will finally unlock the long-running dispute.