At least 70 families in Byakabanda Sub-county, Rakai District, have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in a 20-year land dispute that threatens to leave them homeless.
During a joint meeting led by their village chairpersons, the affected families, all residents of Lugongo, Lwannamboga and Katerero villages, resolved to petition the President over a contested 200-hectare piece of land, saying they have exhausted all other avenues without finding a lasting solution.
Eriya Bukenya, the Chairperson of Lugongo Village, says that the dispute stems from what the residents believe is public land that Mutebi allegedly obtained lease offers for in 2006. He claims Mutebi has since been allocating portions of the land to other individuals, despite the presence of long-time occupants whom the law recognises as bona fide tenants.
Bukenya further alleges that Mutebi, also known as Soroweni and described as a land agent, works with influential security officials to intimidate residents, adding that their crops have been destroyed on several occasions and replaced with eucalyptus trees without any compensation.
He says the residents have unsuccessfully sought help from local authorities and have now decided to seek direct intervention from the President. Bukenya adds that although they previously resisted attempts to evict them, they have recently been served with notices requiring them either to buy the land or vacate it.
Siraje Mujuzi, the Chairperson of Katerero Village, says many of the affected families never obtained formal sale agreements for the land they occupy, leaving them vulnerable if the matter proceeds to court. He wants President Museveni to order investigations into how lease offers were issued to Mutebi, whom he says was not originally a resident of the area.
The residents also resolved to ask their area Members of Parliament to deliver the petition directly to President Museveni. They say they previously reported the matter to the Ministry of Lands and the Inspector General of Government, but no conclusive action has been taken.
However, Jamadah Mutebi maintains that he legally owns the land and possesses valid ownership documents. He questions why the occupants have refused to engage him to resolve the dispute. Mutebi also accuses the residents of preventing him from surveying the land, alleging that local leaders have mobilised mobs to frustrate his efforts to access and develop his property.
He says he has instructed his lawyers to take legal action against occupants who refuse to recognise him as their landlord or pay rent.
Meanwhile, Rakai Resident District Commissioner Sarah Kiyimba says her office recently sought guidance from the State House Land Protection Unit regarding the dispute. She wonders why the residents did not wait for the Unit’s response before deciding to petition the President directly-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
