In a harrowing incident that underscores the increasing tension over land disputes in Uganda, MP Mwijukye Francis, a vocal advocate for land rights, was brutally attacked by hired goons on Sunday, May 12, 2024. The attack occurred at St. Jude, Rwanyamabale Catholic Church in Buhweju District, leaving the MP hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to Francis, the incident unfolded following a series of escalating confrontations over a disputed piece of land. The land in question houses a church, a school, community water sources, tea gardens, and several homesteads, all of which have been claimed by Frank Kamugisha and his son Edwin, a lawyer, without a court order. The duo allegedly resorted to forceful eviction methods, fencing off the land and hiring goons to enforce their claims.
On the day of the attack, after a peaceful prayer session at the church, Francis and the local congregants were ambushed by the goons wielding pangas, sticks, and machetes. The assailants, who had been housed near the church by Kamugisha, beat several people, including a TV West journalist whose equipment was destroyed. Francis himself narrowly escaped a fatal blow, suffering a head injury and other wounds.
“The grace of God saved my life,” Francis stated from his hospital bed at Nakasero Hospital. “The attack I endured is a reflection of the decaying systems in Uganda and the dire fate that awaits ordinary citizens if this issue is not addressed.”
Prior incidents had already indicated the volatile situation. Local leaders, including the area LC1 Chairperson and the Sub County Councilor, were beaten by the goons when they attempted to intervene, leading to a community demonstration. However, police intervention surprisingly sided with Kamugisha, dispersing the local demonstrators instead of arresting the accused goons.
The police’s delayed response and perceived partiality have fueled accusations of connivance. Despite being informed of the goons’ location, the police failed to act promptly, allowing the assailants to remain in the village overnight and leave unchallenged the next morning. “Why didn’t the district police bring enough manpower to arrest the goons? Why did they wait for the goons to leave before pretending to pursue them?” questioned Francis.
This incident has sparked widespread concern over the role of law enforcement in land disputes, particularly in rural areas. The involvement of hired goons and the apparent police complicity have raised alarms about the protection of citizens’ rights and the integrity of law enforcement agencies.
Francis’s attack is a stark reminder of the growing menace of land grabbing, a problem that has predominantly plagued urban areas but is now spreading to rural regions. “If an MP can be beaten and almost killed by goons without any arrests, what will happen to the ordinary citizen?” Francis lamented.
As Francis continues his recovery, he calls for urgent action to address the issue of land grabbing and the complicity of security agencies. “My blood should be the last drop shed over land matters in Buhweju,” he declared, urging the government to restore law and order and protect its citizens from such atrocities.
The attack on MP Mwijukye Francis has highlighted the critical need for reforms in land dispute management and law enforcement in Uganda, as communities and leaders alike grapple with the consequences of unchecked violence and corruption.
