Police defends heavy deployment in Kayunga

Aug 18, 2013

Police defends its intervention in the land conflicts that have gripped Kayunga district over the last several months.

By Taddeo Bwambale

Just days after minister of State for Lands Aidah Nantaba accused the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura of interference and bias in the ongoing prove aimed at ending conflicts in Kayunga, police maintains that her outbursts will not deter their investigations.

Saturday morning, police defended its intervention in the land conflicts that have gripped the district over the last several months.

The new Commandant of the Land Protection Police Unit (LPPU), Fred Enanga told journalists in Kampala that Police’s role in the district was to curb violence and investigate the wrangles.

Enanga, who heads a team of detectives set up by the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura to investigate the land conflicts, said their role was to get to the root of the problem.

“Our investigative team wants to find out who is telling the truth. For the land owners, we are verifying the land titles to find out if they are authentic,” Enanga said.

“We are also examining whether the alleged Bibaja owners (squatters) are genuine, by running background checks on how they claim to have acquired the land,” Enganga explained.

He maintained that their investigations were lawful and intended to establish the truth about ownership of land claimed by both landlords and tycoons.

Enanga said as a temporary measure, part of the land under conflict had been parceled out to the tenants for their settlement and cultivation, pending investigations.

He disapproved the manner in which the committee headed by the minister was conducting its duties to resolve the dispute.

"The committee would listen to a small group and instantly take action. That would promote hooliganism and anarchy, and the whole country will be a time bomb," he stated.

Enanga said several claimants had recorded statements, while landlords had agreed to let part of their land be inhabited by the squatters, awaiting the findings of the committee.

Moses Kalangwa who claims over 1800 acres but had agreed to set aside 100 acres for the squatters to cultivate crops, Enanga said.

Another landlord identified as Katonyo Lydia who claims over 4000 acres, has also surrendered 60 acres to the squatters, pending investigations.

Moses Kiwanuka who claims 365 acres had also given away 65 acres to the squatters for their settlement and cultivation, Enanga said.