Former Police chief loses gardens

By Fred Turyakira

POLICE in Ntungamo is investigating complaints of malicious damage of property and death threats reported by former Mbarara Police CID boss Ian Kakuru, after his banana plantation was cut down. 

Bosco Gume, the officer in-charge of criminal investigations at Ntungamo Police, said they were investigating the complaints reported by Ian Kakuru.

"On Friday, we received complaints from Kakuru that his uncle, Andrew Kangaho, a security officer at Posta Uganda, hired people who cut down Kakuru's banana plantation at Rwabaramira village, Rubaare sub-county in Ntungamo district," he said.

Gume said the detectives visited to the scene, but the suspects fled after the incident.

He said the Police summoned Kangaho to help in the investigations.

Kakuru had on April 3, 2015 filed a case of threatening violence at Ntungamo Police station under the reference number SD31/03/04/2015 against his uncles, Andrew and Maj. Ian Kangaho.

Kakuru who was recently transferred from Mbarara to East Kyoga region as the legal officer is locked in family land dispute with his uncles.

They are fighting for the land left behind by the late Arthur James Kangaho, who passed on last year.

Alex Mbahwerize, the LC1 chairperson of Omungyenyi, said the wrangles involve Maj. Ian, Andrew and Joy Sabume and is over land left behind by Kangaho.

"Late Kagahho died without a locating share to his children. After his death, Andrew and Maj. Ian connived with other distant relatives Moses Kagondoki and John Kambaho and obtained land titles without considering the children of their late brother, Maj. Chefe Makosa the father to Kakuru and others," He explained.

"They also disowned their own brother, Moses Kangahho and we appeal the government to intervene in this matter to avoid bloodshed," Mbahwerize added.

Kakuru told Newvision that when he learnt that they were not considered among the joint tenants in the land titles he went to court and pressed a caveat until their sit as family and resolve the issue.

"It's unfortunate for my uncles to start displacing us at this time. Our grandfather died when he had not processed the title but had showed each of the children and the grand children on the side of the land to take. However our uncles turned against us and reached the extent of destroying banana plantation. But I will not give up  and follow the law until court decides  on the matter if our relatives including  mama Janet Museveni cannot resolve the conflict," Kakuru said.

He asked first lady, Janet Museveni, the minister for Karamoja affairs, who is a close relative to the family, Rushenyi county MP and state minister for Constitution and justice affairs, Mwesigwa Rukutana for intervention.

Moses Kangaho, another, victim said his brothers were harassing and trying to displace him in his parent's land.

" I don't know why we are neglected yet we belong to them .this is shameful, our father left a respected family, made his name but people will start laughing at us because of some a few greedy members," he added.