Lock-Up Shops on Church Land: A Ugandan Congregation Challenges Its Diocese Over a Commercial Allocation

• Central Busoga Diocese allocated church land in Budongo to a lay leader for commercial development
• St Michael Church leaders say the diocese had no authority to allocate the land
• The bishop announced plans in 2021 to allocate land for lock-up shops
• The dispute is over whether the diocese or the local church decides how land is used

A dispute has broken out in the Church of Uganda’s Central Busoga Diocese over church land along the Namutumba-Bulange Road in Budongo village, Daily Monitor reported on April 14, 2024.

Dr Charles Ivaibi, who chairs Christian men in Namutumba Archdeaconry and is secretary of the District Service Commission, received plots of church land for commercial development. Leaders at St Michael Church oppose the allocation, saying the diocese lacked authority to distribute the land. “We are not against Dr Ivaibi and development, but we are against the wrong procedure followed,” said Dr Fred Kasiisa, head of the laity.

The land was demarcated and first allocated in 2017. On May 23, 2021, Bishop Patrick Wakula announced plans to allocate land for the construction of lock-up shops. On August 4, 2021, the diocesan secretary asked authorities to halt the “forceful allocation” to Ivaibi. In February 2024 Ivaibi sought intervention over alleged trespass on alternative plots.

At the heart of the dispute is whether the diocese or the local congregation controls decisions about how church land is used.

Commercial use of church land can bring welcome income, and many Jamaican churches rent space for shops or offices. But the Busoga case shows how quickly such plans can divide a church when the process is unclear. Before allocating or leasing land, Jamaican congregations and denominations should agree who has authority, follow their own constitution, record decisions in minutes and make sure the terms are in writing and fair to the church.

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