MICHAEL N
President Yoweri Museveni has directed individuals accused of grabbing community land in Kayoonza, Rushenyi County, Ntungamo District, to immediately vacate it and allow residents to resume its use.
The directive was communicated during a community meeting held yesterday at Kayooza Sub-county headquarters. The meeting was attended by the Ntungamo District Police Commander Mwesigwa, Deputy RDC Rosemary Atuhaire, State House lands officer Counsel Flora Kiconco, Rushenyi County MP Hon. Naome Kabasharira, local leaders, and hundreds of residents. The gathering aimed at resolving a long-standing land dispute between residents of Kayooza and members of Ruhenga Mixed Farmers Group, who allegedly took over the land in 2010.
Residents, led by Moses Byamukama, reported that a small group of individuals fraudulently processed a land title for the communal land that had traditionally been used for grazing, collecting firewood, and stone quarrying. Moses said the group connived with one of the LC1 chairpersons to sign fake documents, leading to the issuance of a land title, and the matter has since dragged on in the courts — including the Supreme Court.
Other residents, including Arthur and John, said the land has belonged to their forefathers for generations and was freely used by all community members until 2010 when a few individuals obtained the title and evicted them. They narrated that some residents sold property in attempts to pursue justice while others were arrested, adding that six out of the 22 people detained over the dispute have since died in prison.
However, Julius Muhwezi, one of those accused of grabbing the land, defended the group saying they legally applied for the land from the government and later formed Ruhenga Mixed Farmers Association, which he said was open for all residents to join and benefit from.
Rushenyi County MP Hon. Naome Kabasharira applauded the President for intervening in the matter and declared the disputed land title illegal. She expressed disappointment in the judiciary for failing to resolve land disputes quickly, saying prolonged court battles fuel conflict among community members who should be living peacefully together.
State House lands officer Counsel Flora Kiconco directed those who acquired the land illegally to vacate it immediately. She said the land must be reopened for community use and will be registered under a community association so that every resident benefits from it. Kiconco also stated that individuals who planted trees may harvest them within a short time before the land is formally restored to the community.
She added that efforts are underway to secure the release of residents still in prison over the land wrangles and to withdraw the related cases.
