By KT Reporter
Policemen from Wobulenzi Police Station in Luwero district on Wednesday rescued two landlords from an angry mob that attempted to assault them following remarks by Lands Minister Sam Mayanja blasting them for harassing and evicting tenants.
The chaos erupted moments after a heated meeting at Busula Trading Center, where Minister Mayanja met with tenants and landlords to address a long-running land dispute in Katikamu sub-county. The landlords — Stella Nanteza Kangave, Stanley Musoke, and Nicholas Ntege — own a square mile stretching across the villages of Nganjo and Kaswa, on block 139, plots 190, 261, and 161, and block 130, occupied by at least 301 residents.
Recently, the tenants, through their lawyer Peter Kimanje Nsibambi of Kimanje Nsibambi Advocates, petitioned Minister Mayanja, accusing the landlords of grabbing their land and subjecting them to harassment. During the meeting, Ssimbwa Mawanda, the chairperson of the affected tenants, narrated how some residents had been arrested for resisting eviction, while others were threatened.
He urged the Minister to investigate how the landlords acquired the land titles, alleging fraud in obtaining letters of administration over land formerly owned by Kasiba Timotewo. Mawanda also accused the LC1 Chairman of Nganjo village, Baker Nganda, and Policemen of siding with the landlords in the evictions.
Other residents warned that the wrangle could turn violent if the government fails to intervene.
Lawyer Nsibambi told the Minister that tenants had sought his help after failing to get justice from Police and courts, accusing Bukalasa Lands Office of aiding fraudulent land transfers. However, landlords Nanteza and Ntege defended their ownership, saying the land is a family property shared among seven children and that they legally obtained letters of administration after an eight-year court battle. Nanteza denied any land grabbing, saying some tenants had been compensated.
Minister Mayanja rejected the landlords’ position, insisting they cannot force tenants into compensation or evict them. He directed the Resident District Commissioner’s office to ensure tenants regain their land and halt further evictions. Mayanja also ordered the arrest of LC1 Chairman Nganda and Policemen implicated in the evictions.
It was after these remarks that tensions boiled over, with tenants attempting to attack the landlords. Police intervened swiftly, whisking the landlords away to Wobulenzi Police Station under tight security. Luwero district ranks among the top in land conflict cases. According to the 2024 Police Crime Report, the district recorded 121 cases of malicious damage to property related to land, ranking ninth nationally, alongside another 121 cases of criminal trespass.
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