UGANDA, Kayunga | Real Muloodi News | High-ranking officials have been directed to reverse land evictions following revelations of a contentious land allocation scandal in the Bajjo Central Forest Reserve, Galilaaya Sub-county, Kayunga District.
The scandal has sparked widespread outrage and raised significant human rights concerns.
“In light of the misleading claims by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) regarding the forest reserve, and the absence of trees on the disputed land, I order the NFA to vacate this land immediately,” declared Mr Sam Mayanja, the lands state minister, during a meeting with affected tenants in the Kataigwa trading centre.
Mr. Mayanja’s intervention followed complaints from tenants who alleged decades-long residency on the forest land and claimed to have been evicted by soldiers and policemen deployed by high-ranking security officers. “Where is the forest NFA is claiming to conserve? I don’t see it,” Mr. Mayanja remarked, emphasising the need for justice for the affected tenants.
The Bajjo Central Forest Reserve, gazetted in 1932, spans 3,373 hectares and serves as a critical water catchment area for River Ssezibwa and River Nile, supporting Lake Victoria’s water catchments.
“We have been living on this land for over 50 years, and suddenly we were evicted without warning,” expressed Mr. John Ssemugabo, chairman of the affected tenants, highlighting the abrupt nature of the evictions.
Mr. Mayanja condemned the NFA for allegedly disregarding the 1995 Land Act and allocating land to new tenants without prioritising existing occupants.
“NFA is Museveni’s enemy number one because it wants people to hate him,” Mr Mayanja criticised, emphasising the need for adherence to the law in land allocation processes.
The directive by Mr Mayanja has been met with relief by many residents who had become landless following their eviction from the forest land.
“This directive will save many residents who had become landless,” remarked Mr Moses Karangwa, the Kayunga district NRM chairman, applauding the minister’s decisive action.
Amid these developments, revelations of a scandal involving controversial land allocations to officials within the forest reserve have ignited widespread outrage and raised significant human rights concerns.
“The situation has escalated beyond mere land disputes, with reports of homes being demolished by military forces,” highlighted Mr Ssemugabo, detailing numerous instances of tenant abuse by soldiers.
The affected community, led by Mr. Ssemugabo, is demanding accountability and justice for the injustices perpetrated against them.
“We demand accountability and justice for the actions taken against us,” asserted Mr Ssemugabo, echoing the sentiments of the affected tenants.
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