Hon. Ssewungu criticised Mayanja’s knowledge and approach towards land issues, suggesting that the minister was not adequately informed about Uganda’s land laws or constitutional history.
“Around his time there were few people who studied law, but he must have been one of the people who never attended classes,” said Ssewungu.
The MP went on to accuse Mayanja of neglecting his parliamentary responsibilities, having only appeared in the house once during his three-year tenure as minister.
Read: Court asked to subject Minister Sam Mayanja to mental examination
Mayanja vs Buganda
Ssewungu’s frustrations stem from Mayanja’s persistent criticisms of the Buganda Kingdom. The minister has consistently targeted the kingdom’s land tenure system, particularly mailo land, calling it “illegal” and one of the causes of land disputes and evictions in Uganda
.He has also questioned the legitimacy of the Kabaka's administrative appointments, suggesting that Buganda’s traditional structures no longer have any real authority
Ssewungu accused Mayanja of spending more time attacking the Kabaka and the Buganda Kingdom in the media and public forums than attending to his duties in Parliament.
“He has to go. The president who appointed him also needs to know that his man has brought turmoil to the Kingdom,” Ssewungu added.
Analysts have pointed out that Mayanja’s appointment is seen as part of President Museveni’s agenda to challenge Buganda's land policies