Soroti Muslims protest sale of Swaria School land, petition RDC

SOROTI - Tensions flared in Soroti City on December 19, 2025, when a section of members of the Muslim community staged a peaceful demonstration to protest what they describe as the irregular sale of land belonging to Swaria Primary School.

The Muslim-founded institution's ownership has been contested for over a decade.

The demonstrators accused officials of the former Soroti Municipal Council of presiding over the controversial transaction, arguing that the school land was disposed of without the knowledge or consent of the Muslim community that established and developed it.

Carrying placards reading “We want our Swaria land” and “Mama Janet Museveni help us, we want our school back,” among others, the protesters marched from Soroti city headquarters, where they sought explanations from city officials. After failing to receive a response, they proceeded to the office of the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) to petition the central government to intervene.

Addressing the crowd, school management committee chairperson Rhema Kagoya said the community was alarmed by what he termed a silent transfer of ownership under the former municipal administration.

“This land belongs to Swaria Primary School and the Muslim community. We were shocked to see it sold off quietly under the former municipal council. We want the government to intervene and give us back our school land,” Kagoya said.

Former County Sheikh Umar Egabu accused the authorities at the time of failing in their duty to safeguard community property, describing the alleged sale as a breach of public trust.

“The people entrusted to protect this land are the same ones who allowed it to be taken. The Muslim community was never consulted, yet this school has served generations of children,” Egabu said.

The protesters are demanding an immediate halt to all developments on the disputed land and want ownership restored to Swaria Primary School, which they say continues to play a critical role in education within the city.

Court settled the matter

However, the family of the late Betty Nalugwa has strongly disputed the community’s claims. Julius Paul Muwanga, speaking on behalf of the family, said the matter was conclusively settled by the courts.

“This issue was taken to court in 2010, and judgment was passed in 2014. The court declared our family the rightful owners of the land,” Muwanga said, adding that the family acted within the law.

Muslim community at the RCC Office. (Credit: Juliet Akello)

The alleged buyer, businessman Simon Elayu, popularly known as Mulokole, also defended the transaction, insisting that he legally acquired the land from the Nalugwa family.

“I legally bought this land from the Nalugwa family and followed all the required procedures. I have all the documents and the necessary consent to develop the land,” Elayu said.

Soroti County Sheikh Yusuf Okiror, who witnessed the demonstration, said Muslim leaders have repeatedly raised concerns over the land with city authorities over the years, but without a clear resolution.

“We have reported this issue several times to the city authorities, but there has never been a clear resolution. We are now appealing to the Minister of Education and Sports to intervene because this is a school matter,” Sheikh Okiror said.

Meanwhile, northeastern regional assistant Mufti Sheikh Abubakar Umar Obilan confirmed that his office has formally received complaints from the Muslim community regarding the disputed land.

“There is a lot of outcry from the Muslim community over this land. We are urging the relevant authorities to handle the matter urgently, while we continue to appeal to our people to remain calm,” Sheikh Obilan said.

RCC calls for patience

Responding to the concerns, Soroti City Resident City Commissioner John Michael Okurut acknowledged the long history of the dispute and appealed for patience as his office studies the matter.

“I have only been in office for seven months, yet this dispute dates back to 2014. Give my office two weeks, and we shall engage all the parties involved to see how best this issue can be handled,” Okurut said.

The Swaria Primary School land dispute now adds to growing concerns over the management of community and institutional land in rapidly urbanising towns, where competing claims, court rulings, and administrative decisions continue to fuel public mistrust and unrest.