UGANDA, Serere | Real Muloodi News | New revelations have surfaced concerning the ongoing dispute over a 150-acre land parcel in Serere involving Serere District Local Government and human rights defender Mr Moses Omiat.
The dispute, which has garnered attention due to its legal complexities, has taken a new turn with the emergence of a letter allegedly from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), directing intervention in the matter.
According to the purported OPM letter, the ministry has been urged to find means of obstructing Mr Omiat, who was declared the rightful owner of the 150 acres by the Soroti High Court, from assuming control of the land.
The letter, dated July 10, 2023, highlights the district administration’s discontent with the court’s ruling, alleging unfairness and influence in the judgment.
Additionally, it outlines the compensation of USh320 million ordered to be paid to Mr Omiat for court costs, along with the risk of eviction faced by the long-standing residents of Otaaba Village, who have inhabited the land for over a century.
In response to the OPM’s directive, Mr. Omiat condemned the actions as blatant impunity aimed at undermining the authority of the judiciary.
He expressed concerns that such interference could erode public trust in the legal system and potentially provoke vigilante justice if left unchecked.
Meanwhile, Mr. Charles Odongtho, the spokesperson of OPM, requested time to verify the details of the letter before issuing a statement.
Calls for respecting court orders have been reiterated by legal authorities, including the president of the Uganda Law Society, Mr. Bernard Oundo, and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
At the opening of the New Law Year 2024 in Kampala, they emphasised the importance of upholding judicial decisions and warned against the unauthorised auditing of court judgments by government entities.
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, emphasised the constitutional duty of all state organs to assist the courts in ensuring the enforcement of judicial orders.
The dispute over the 150-acre land in Serere reached a climax in June 2022 when Soroti High Court Judge Henry Adonyo ruled in favour of Mr Omiat, declaring him the lawful owner of the contested land.
The court also imposed a fine of USh320 million on Serere District Local Government for the destruction of trees on the property.
However, Mr Omiat alleges ongoing trespassing and destruction of trees by district officials, who purportedly allow unauthorised individuals to exploit the land for various activities such as timber harvesting, charcoal burning, brick making, and hosting a weekly market.
As the legal battle intensifies, the intricacies of land ownership, judicial authority, and governmental intervention continue to shape the narrative surrounding the contentious Serere land dispute.
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