UGANDA, Hoima | Real Muloodi News | More than 20,000 Hoima residents in Zorobi Parish, Kabaale Sub-county, Hoima District, are facing uncertainty over their land following an alleged plan by the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to reclaim the area for sugarcane plantations. The affected residents come from five villages: Ngemwa, Zorobi, Nkwaki, Nyakasinini, and Kigaaga B.
Concerns about potential evictions arose after Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom officials, accompanied by Indian nationals and security personnel, inspected land in Zorobi Parish and Bugoma Central Forest Reserve on January 15.
However, the kingdom’s prime minister, Andrew Byakutaga, denied the claims, stating that the visit was a routine land assessment and that no evictions were planned.
Despite these assurances, Hoima residents remain fearful, saying they have not been given clear information about their land rights.
During a community meeting in Zorobi Village last Wednesday, residents urged the government to intervene, claiming they had lived on the land for decades.
“We shall not allow this to happen. This is the land where we have been farming and grazing our animals,” said Kamusiime Ayebale, a resident of Zorobi Village. “A kingdom is not just about the king; it is about the people and their properties. I believe the king would not allow this to happen, but some individuals are taking advantage of his illness.”
James Atuhaire, another resident, said he had never heard of any kingdom ownership claims over the land until the recent inspection.
“We have no other land apart from this. Even though they claim no one will be evicted, it is a lie. We have seen kingdom officials inspecting the land, which indicates their intentions. The investor wants to proceed with his plans, and he will not allow us to continue living here,” Atuhaire said.
Catherine Nayenga, another resident, said she had not been able to sleep due to the fear of eviction.
“They want to grab our land, and very many people in the area are not sleeping because of that problem. We have nowhere to go since we have lived on this land for many years,” she said.
She added that many Hoima residents had stopped farming or investing in their homes due to the uncertainty. “We have been heavily dependent on this land for survival, but now people are scared to carry out any productive activity due to fear of being evicted.”
Leaders in Kabaale Sub-county said the situation had disrupted normal activities in the area.
“The fear has paralysed normal activities in the parish, with residents hesitant to engage in any productive work for fear of losing their homes and livelihoods,” said Kabaale Sub-county Chairperson Hassan Kugonza.
He said he had informed the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the National Forestry Authority (NFA), and the Hoima District chairperson about the concerns.
“The team from the kingdom told residents that their land is within the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. This prompted us to petition the RDC, NFA, and the Hoima District chairperson for intervention. We have since held a meeting with the residents, and we hope they will not be evicted,” Kugonza said.
During the meeting, Boaz Basigirenda, the NFA range manager in Budongo systems, which covers the Bunyoro Sub-region, urged the community to help protect Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
“We are all supposed to be vigilant so that we protect this forest because Bugoma is one and you can’t buy it or find it anywhere. It should remain intact,” Basigirenda said.
Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom officials denied allegations of an eviction plan.
Andrew Byakutaga, the prime minister of the kingdom, stated that the visit to Zorobi Parish was a routine assessment and that no residents would be displaced.
Joseph Twegonze, the interim lands officer for the kingdom, reassured Hoima residents that the king does not evict his subjects.
The current dispute comes years after a similar incident involving Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom land. In 2016, the kingdom leased 22 square miles of land in Kyangwali Sub-county, Kikuube District, to Hoima Sugar Company Limited for a 99-year term.
The land was designated for sugarcane cultivation, a move that sparked protests among local communities.
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