The Police are investigating circumstances in which a landlord destroyed crops on a disputed piece of land in Banda Village, Mende Sub County in Wakiso District.
It is alleged that more than 10 families are facing eviction from their bibanja where they have lived for decades. The family members, among them elderly women aged between 70 and 85 allege that two land brokers; Augustine Kateebe and Julius Kyakulaga are claiming to own the land comprising their bibanja where they have lived for more than 50 decades.
Ezeresi Namukasa, 85 assisted by her sister Robina Nabatanzi, 70, said that the land in dispute was part of their late father’s Kibanja which measured 12 acres.
Kampala Metropolitan Police – KMP Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango said that they are investigating a case of malicious damage to property. Onyango said that one person has been arrested and detained at the Police Station in Wakiso to assist the police in the investigations.
It is alleged that on Monday Kateebe accompanied by a group of armed men destroyed food crops at night. The destruction comes hardly a week after the arrest and remanding of two people; Jonathan Senfuka Katula and Peter Kato on accusations of criminal trespass.
Dan Mawejje, a resident says said that the armed men attacked their homes and blocked anyone from moving out or protesting against the destruction. Mawejje, whose garden was destroyed said that they are leaving under threat because their efforts to seek assistance from the Police are in vain.
Mende Sub County Chairperson Peter Ntume said that the eviction process is fraudulent because it allegedly involves Police officers from Wakiso.
Ntume appealed to the Lands Minister to intervene in the matter to enforce the presidential directive that stopped any eviction of bibanja holders.
In June, President Museveni issued a directive stopping any eviction of bibanja holders despite having court orders saying that evictions are contrary to law.
Banda Village Chairperson Yosia Kakooza said that he is not aware of the claimants and any transactions on the land under contest. About complaints against him, Kakooza said that every process on the disputed land was done with the knowledge of the occupants.
Birungi Mathias Ssemujju, the vice chairperson for Mende Sub County said it is unfortunate for people to destroy food crops in illegal acts and appealed to authorities to intervene and save the residents.
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