UGANDA, Bulambuli | Real Muloodi News | A conflict has arisen in Bumufuni Sub-County, Bulambuli District, as locals are reportedly prevented from burying their deceased relatives on land claimed by a businesswoman, Ms Rose Wekomba, wife of businessman Mr Stephen Wekomba.
Ms Wekomba asserts ownership of the land, covering four villages in the sub-county, with a title obtained in 2015.
The affected villages include Busonge, Buwesonga, Buwanjala, and Bubulo in Bumufuni and Buwesonga parishes.
Disputes over this land have persisted since 2015, leading to heightened tensions, particularly following the death of Francis Amilimo, 89, a resident of Busonge Village, last September.
Amid preparations for Amilimo’s burial, the police intervened, halting the ceremony and transferring the deceased’s body to Mbale City mortuary. This action sparked protests among locals, with some individuals reportedly arrested and later released.
Mr Peter Wekesa, a grandson of the deceased, lamented the prolonged delay in burying his grandfather, citing disturbances from restless spirits.
Ms Wekomba claims that Amilimo sold her the disputed land, amounting to approximately 300 acres, an assertion disputed by the deceased’s relatives.
According to them, Ms Wekomba resorted to fraudulent means to acquire a portion of Amilimo’s land.
The deceased’s family is among the 550 families residing on the contested 1,503 acres of land in Bumufuni, an area plagued by numerous cases of land disputes and alleged grabbing.
Local elders, including Mr George Wamalwa, voiced their grievances, stating that they are being denied access to their ancestral land for burial rites and subsistence farming.
Mr Joseph Wakamala, the Chairperson of Bumufuni Sub-county, confirmed the police’s intervention but expressed uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of Amilimo’s body.
Seeking resolution, locals and Ms Wekomba convened with Mr Joseph Kibande, the Senior Registrar of Titles in the Mbale region, at the Ministry of Lands Regional Office.
During the meeting, community members urged the government to revoke Ms Wekomba’s land title, alleging unfair displacement and denial of land access.
Mr Oscar Twanga, a complainant in the dispute, recounted the events leading to the land conflict, alleging coercion and manipulation in the transfer of land titles to Ms Wekomba.
He detailed an incident where he and four relatives were detained and compelled to sign over the land title to Ms Wekomba.
In a letter dated January 27, 2016, Mr Bernard Nalera, the former chairperson of the area land committee of Bunambutye Sub-county, highlighted irregularities in the land title transfer, emphasising fraudulent practices.
Despite these allegations, Ms Wekomba denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the land was legitimately acquired from the previous titleholders.
However, she warned that if the government were to revoke her title, compensation would be necessary. Meanwhile, inquiries into the matter by the Elgon Police Spokesperson, Mr Rogers Taitika, are ongoing, as authorities seek clarity on the disputed land issue.
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