UGANDA, Buliisa | Real Muloodi News | Over 1,000 families in Kitigo Village, Biiso Sub-county, Buliisa District, are embroiled in a land dispute involving Prince Harrison Samuel Gafaabusa Kintu and the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
The land in question spans 19,433 hectares and is also claimed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as part of the Bugungu Wildlife Conservation Area under Murchison Falls National Park.
Prince Kintu, son of the late Omukama Sir Tito Winyi Gafaabusa of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, asserts that his father granted him the land in July 1967.
He claims the land was historically a hunting ground for the king and has provided documents to support his ownership.
However, residents and leaders dispute this claim, accusing Prince Kintu of attempting to grab land they have occupied since the 1940s.
Benjamin Yowasi, a resident, questioned the legitimacy of Kintu’s claim, stating, “I was born and raised on this land. How can he claim it now?”
Buliisa LCV Vice Chairperson Gilbert Tibasiima accused the prince of forging documents, including minutes of the Buliisa District Land Board.
“Prince Kintu has never owned any piece of land here. The documents he presents are fraudulent,” Tibasiima alleged.
Nicholas Aliganyira, the Busiiso town council LCV Councilor, noted that part of the land claimed by Kintu overlaps with villages in Biiso Town Council. He called for an urgent boundary demarcation to resolve the dispute.
Norah Nyendwoha, the Buliisa District Woman Member of Parliament, expressed disbelief over the prince’s claim.
“Residents have settled on this land for years. I will ensure that justice and transparency are served,” she said.
Allan Atugonza, the Buliisa county Member of Parliament, emphasised the need for NFA and UWA to demarcate the land’s boundaries.
He highlighted past conflicts between NFA and residents living near forest reserves, adding urgency to resolve the current dispute.
Aldon Walukamba, Communications and Public Relations Manager at NFA stated, “While accusations of land grabbing against Prince Kintu persist, NFA has established boundaries for the land in contention.”
Frederick Wanyama, Senior Monitoring and Research Officer with UWA confirmed that documents indicate Prince Kintu’s claim overlaps with the Bugungu Wildlife Reserve.
“The only way to resolve this conflict is for UWA and NFA to reopen the boundaries to ensure transparency,” he said.
The dispute involves multiple stakeholders, each with a vested interest in the land. The NFA, responsible for managing forest reserves, and UWA, which oversees wildlife conservation areas, both assert claims over portions of the land.
The involvement of Prince Kintu adds another layer of complexity, with historical and royal claims intersecting with legal and environmental considerations.
This conflict highlights the broader issue of land tenure and management in Uganda, where historical claims often clash with modern legal frameworks and conservation efforts.
Local leaders are calling for a swift resolution to prevent further escalation.
“We need to address this issue urgently to prevent any potential violence or unrest among the affected families,” said Nyendwoha.
The case of the landowners and prince in Buliisa reflects similar land disputes across Uganda, where overlapping claims and a lack of clear documentation often lead to conflicts.
The outcome of this dispute will set a precedent for future cases, highlighting the importance of addressing land issues through legal and transparent processes.
The resolution of the landowners and prince conflict in Buliisa could pave the way for improved land management and conflict resolution in Uganda.
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