UGANDA, Nakasongola | Real Muloodi News | Over 100 households facing illegal land evictions in Nakasongola District have petitioned the Government to put a stop to land evictions. The disputed land is located in Kiswerwa Village, Kalongo Sub-county, on Block 173, Plots 12, 17, 18, and 19.
In June, the district leaders petitioned the Lands Minister, Ms Judith Nabakooba, to look into the land conflicts in Nakasongola. Locals claim that landlords conducted evictions in total disregard of the land law.
According to the Land Amendment Act 2010, tenants can resist illegal eviction, especially if they paid the annual nominal ground rent (busuulu). Landlords also need a court order to evict tenants; however, many landlords ignore such provisions.
In a letter signed by Mr Rogers Sande Bwanga, the Nakasongola District Council speaker reads in part, “…this defeats the original purpose of the Land Act and paints a negative image by the government that is the custodian of the Law.”
“For the case of Block 173, Plot 18 measuring approximately 110.581 hectares, the registered proprietor under MMACKS investments, Ms. Jessica Kashumba, who acquired the land in 2017, refused the nominal ground rates (Busuulu) from the tenants and fenced off homes and gardens of the tenants,” the letter to the minister adds.
Mr Sam Kigula, the Nakasongola chairperson, said that over 85 per cent of the land in the district is under the Mailo Land Tenure System.
“It surprises us that a section of the judicial officials in courts of law is being used to undermine the rights of the bibanja holders in Nakasongola.” “We also appeal to the government to expedite the Land Fund with interest in areas that have many people suffering,” Sam added.
One of the affected tenants on Block 173, Plot 18, Mr Habibu Bagonza, said their landlord urged them to find land elsewhere.
“It surprises us that our landlord has fenced-off plots where we have our respective families. The landlord insists that the nominal ground rate is very little. We do not know how much ground rate he wants,” Bagonza said.
Another land victim, Mr Stanley Ndibadawa, narrated: “Surprisingly, the landlord tells us he will not evict us, but wants us to stay in the fenced areas. We have failed to understand the intention of destroying our crops.”
Mr Peter Bigumirwa, the chairperson of the Kiswerwa Village, said the residents started getting information about planned land evictions back in 2018. He urged the government to fight for the people’s rights.
Nakasongola County MP Noah Mutebi said, county officials met with the landlords along with a section of the affected tenants.
“The landlord will sell the land to the tenants and enter further negotiations. Unfortunately, the tenants have now had their respective land fenced off.” Mr Noah said.
According to the MP, over 70 per cent of the population in Nakasongola are squatters. Against the legal framework, landlords have evicted families from the land they have occupied for more than six decades.
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