POLICE | HOIMA | LAND CONFLICT 

HOIMA - Local leaders in Hoima district have demanded for the unconditional release of 11 people who were arrested during the brutal eviction of more than 500 families in Kiganja and Kapapi sub-counties a week ago.

The affected people, mainly cultivators and pastoralists were forcibly evicted by private security guards who torched their homes on February 11, 2023, at night. 

More than 50 homes were set ablaze and an unspecified number of animals, including cows and goats looted. 

The residents were evicted from two titled pieces of land owned by tycoons based in Hoima district and Kampala.

The land under contestation

One of the titles measuring 2545 acres (1030 hectares) is owned by six people who include, Ndahura Gafayo, Astoni Muhwezi, David Mpora, Monica Rwashadika, Agaba H and Wilber Kiiza. The title covers part of Kapapi and Kiganja sub-counties.

Another land title for a piece of land measuring about three square miles belongs to Moses Asiimwe Byagire, a businessman in Hoima town. This title covers over four villages: Waki South, Waki North, Runga, Kapapi central and Kiryateete in Kapapi sub-county.

The residents accuse the tycoons of grabbing their land without following the due process of law. Some of the evictees have since pitched camp at Rwenyana Gospel Church in Kapaapi, while others are scattered in the neighbouring villages where they sleep in the cold.

Heavy security deployment

There is a heavy security presence on the contested land, which is out of bounds for the residents. More than ten people who opposed the eviction were picked up by security during the eviction and their whereabouts are unknown to date.

Those picked up are Sam Kataza, Eriya Mulega, Stephen Karongo, Stephen Rangira, Moses Muzora, Fred Kashilingi, John Muvenge, Enoch Kamugisha, Edward Karongo and Benon Kansime, among others. Their relatives have called for their unconditional release.

Night eviction condemned

Kigorobya County Member of Parliament David Karubanga wondered why an eviction should be conducted at night moreover without any court order. He said some women claim to have been raped during the brutal eviction exercise. 

According to the MP, he has since petitioned the lands minister as well as the Office of the President for quick intervention and demanded for the release of the people who were arrested.

Kapapi sub-county councillor Chris Bahemurwaki said he is disturbed by the way the eviction was carried out, saying the entire district security committee should be investigated for alleged connivance. He called for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers and other private security guards that have been deployed on the contested land.  

He demanded that those who were arrested be released without being charged adding that all allegations of malicious damage are trumped up to intimidate the evictees.

Albertine region Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza confirmed the arrest and detention of the suspects in connection to the land conflict but declined to divulge details.

Accused landlord speaks out

However, Ndahura, one of the accused tycoons insists that the residents burnt their won houses.

He added that since security has been hunting for some of the residents over malicious damage, they (residents) burnt and destroyed their houses to create a case against the landlords.