UGANDA, Ntinda | Real Muloodi News | In a recent turn of events, six individuals find themselves behind bars, remanded to Luzira Prison, as a result of their alleged involvement in the aggravated robbery surrounding the demolition of a private residence in Ntinda.
The incident, marred by legal complexities and land disputes, has brought to light a clash between the rights of property owners and a history of contested ownership.
The arrests were made in collaboration between the Anti Corruption Unit – State House Uganda and the Uganda Police at Kira Road police station.
The six suspects, namely Julius Lukwago, Hussein Kato, Peter Okello, Umar Kateregga, Hussein Ochen, and Godfrey Bahati, were arraigned before the KCCA Chief Magistrate’s Court.
They face charges of Aggravated Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. The arrest followed a distress call made by a family member who fell victim to a violent attack during the forcible entry into the partially demolished family home of the late Eng. Johnson Eliba Orech.
This unfortunate incident occurred without any court orders, raising questions about the legality of the forceful access and subsequent demolition.
The suspects, armed with machetes, not only carried out the demolition but also violently attacked and robbed a family member of his phone and money.
The chaos ensued on the night of January 5, 2024, marking a distressing chapter for the Orech family.
The Ntinda house has become a focal point in a longstanding land dispute between Yusuf Ssemakula and Simon Eliba Orech.
The property, which had already been subject to an illegal demolition on December 26, 2022, faced another brutal attack in the recent incident.
Investigations were revealed that the status quo was to be maintained pending the conclusion of court cases regarding the ownership of the property.
The arrested suspects claimed to have been sent by Yusuf Ssemakula, a figure allegedly involved in multiple cases of illegal evictions.
However, Ssemakula’s representative, lawyer Allan Mukiibi, contends that the arrested individuals are his client’s employees and accuses Orech and associates of leveraging political influence to manipulate the legal process.
Court records outline a convoluted history of ownership transitions involving Sulait Semakula, Mutwalib Kabogoza, Steven Mulondo, Salongo Seruwaji, and eventually Yusuf Ssemakula.
Despite confirmed ownership through court judgments by Justice Andrew Bashaija in 2017 and Justice Kenneth Kawumi Kazibwe in September 2020, Orech continues to contest the lawful ownership, insisting that his demolished house stood on this contested land.
The lawyer representing Ssemakula emphasises that the charges against his client’s employees are fabricated and designed to disrupt the legal standing that confirms Ssemakula’s ownership.
Despite numerous investigations affirming Ssemakula’s rightful ownership, external forces are alleged to be orchestrating a narrative of trespassing and illegality.
As the legal battle intensifies, the Ntinda house demolition saga underscores the need for a thorough examination of property rights, legal processes, and the potential influence of external factors in land disputes.
The accused, now remanded until February 1, 2024, await their fate while the Orech family grapples with the aftermath of the demolition.
The conflicting claims and contested narratives surrounding this incident highlight the broader challenges within the legal framework, demanding a nuanced approach to address the intricacies of land ownership and justice.
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