KJohn Alinaitwe —Kyegegwa

Last year in June, Five family members were killed in a fire house attack in Kiremba Parish over matters related to land conflicts in Kiremba, Ruyonza, Kyegegwa district and dozens have been apprehended by security to aid investigations since then.

In a local meeting organized by the area member of parliament who doubles as Uganda’s Law custodian Deputy Attorney General Hon Kafuuzi Jackson flanked by the Assistant RDC And LCV Kyegegwa district Mr Byamukama Kisoke John, Leaders expressed concerns about land evictions in Kyegegwa district but they attributed it as a political tool by political actors.

Rewinding, On October 11th of last year, Kyegegwa District had the honor of hosting President Yoweri Museveni to address critical issues surrounding Kyaka I land. During this significant event, Museveni gave over 150,000 people relief and clarity regarding their settlement status. In a landmark decision, President Museveni granted them the green light to remain on more than 10 square miles of land, which was formerly designated as a refugee settlement. Following this presidential directive, the process of formalizing ownership through the issuance of land titles is now being advanced under the leadership of the Deputy Attorney General, who is overseeing the legal procedures required to secure land tenure for the beneficiaries.

According to the LCV Kyegegwa district Byamukama Kisoke John he condemned the Vice of absentee land lords from Kabarole for claiming land ownership in Kyegegwa after decades of years.

As leaders, we are deeply concerned about the rising issue of absentee landlords in Kyegegwa. Government should take keen interest in this matter. We ask—why are these individuals coming now? Where have they been all these years? Most of them are from Tooro, and their sudden appearance with claims to land ownership, followed by attempts to evict longtime residents, is unacceptable. As leaders, we will not allow such evictions to happen in Kyegegwa.

Meanwhile, locals in Kiremba and Karwenyi expressed concerns over the prevailing atmosphere of fear, reports of forced evictions, and the conduct of security operations. They condemned Kyegegwa Police for carrying out night-time arrests and detaining individuals without notifying the LC1 leadership, as required by procedure. Several residents have reportedly been picked up without formal detention warrants, raising alarm within the affected communities.

However, the area MP, Hon. Kafuuzi Jackson, urged locals to remain calm and assured them that no one would be evicted from their land. He further called on residents to respect the court process as the rightful path to securing justice.

I was in Rwanda with the President attending a regional leaders’ summit when the tragic incident involving five members of the same family occurred. Later, while we were in Kyankwanzi, the President ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and directed security agencies to ensure that no acts of mob justice take place.

The Assistant RDC of Kyegegwa, Baker Nyekundira, vowed to address land conflicts promptly in collaboration with his office and other local leaders.

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