UGANDA, Nakasongola | Real Muloodi News | President Museveni has intervened in the Nakasongola land evictions saga, directing the police to probe the situation following reports of more than 3,000 people facing eviction, which tragically led to loss of life.
The directive from the President came after a disturbing incident where Dan Ssebyala was brutally killed just three days after revealing spent cartridges, indicating an attack by security guards on his home in Ndaiga Village, Lwabyata Sub-county.
According to a letter from Ms. Suzan Kasingye, the Special Presidential Assistant in charge of Police Affairs, President Museveni’s directive was prompted by a Daily Monitor story published on March 6, 2024. The story highlighted the killing of Ssebyala and raised concerns about the ongoing land evictions.
The letter urges an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the evictions affecting residents of Lwabyata and Nabiswera sub-counties in Nakasongola District, reportedly orchestrated by Mr Jotham Mafende.
Leaders in Nakasongola District have welcomed the President’s intervention, expressing relief that the cries of the affected residents have been heard and action has been taken.
“We are happy that President Museveni has responded to the cries of his people in Nakasongola District and directed an expeditious investigation. The affected tenants, including a public school, among other facilities, currently live under uncertainty while many have already lost their land to the landlord,” said Mr Sam Kigula, the district chairperson.
The tragic incident involving Ssebyala occurred on March 3, 2024, when he was ambushed and killed on his way home from a trading centre in Ndaiga Village. This came shortly after he was featured in a Daily Monitor story displaying spent bullets allegedly left behind by private security guards who attacked his home.
The dispute revolves around a landlord who purportedly claims ownership of about 5 square miles of public land leased to him over 15 years ago.
Nakasongola Resident District Commissioner Saleh Kamba disclosed that his office has received numerous petitions and complaints against Mr Mafende. He accused Mafende of disregarding summons from the area security committee.
“We cannot sit and watch the people in more than six villages in Nakasongola harassed and evicted from land by an individual who has no respect for any authority within the district,” Kamba emphasized.
He further highlighted the significance of the contested land, noting its importance as it hosts a public school, community water dam, and church, among other facilities.
However, Mr Mafende refuted the accusations, asserting his ownership of the land and dismissing the actions taken by the district authorities as illegal.
“I own the land in Lwabyata Sub-county, Nakasongola District. I will respond to their allegations at the right time. It is not true that I evicted the school. This is propaganda because I have allowed the school to use a section of the land. The school will only lose part of the land, which is my property,” Mafende stated.
Following the intervention, the district security committee disarmed four private security guards deployed on the contested land and ordered access to all community roads and water facilities that were previously fenced off by the landlord.
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