IUIU destroys Nakawa estate house
Jan 27, 2010
THE Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) has started demolishing houses in the Nakawa estate despite an order from the Nakawa resident district commissioner (RDC) to halt the exercise.
By Herbert Ssempogo
THE Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) has started demolishing houses in the Nakawa estate despite an order from the Nakawa resident district commissioner (RDC) to halt the exercise.
Men reportedly travelling in a vehicle belonging to the institution, recently stormed the estate and destroyed a house said to belong to Twontoo Obar, a city lawyer.
“We were in bed at about six in the morning when we suddenly heard loud bangs on the sides of the house. About 10 men were using hammers and axes to hit the house,†Paul Okema, Obar’s tenant, said.
“They did not have an eviction order. We want to know why they did this,†Okema said.
He accused Nakawa parish councillor, Stella Tumuhirwe, of being behind the attack, saying she was seen with the IUIU team.
Tumuhirwe denied collaborating with the institution.
She added that Obar received compensation for his house and consented to the demolition.
“There was a meeting during which it was resolved that if a family has received compensation, it should move. However, it seems some people are backtracking,†Tumuhirwe stated.
President Yoweri Museveni gave the 2.5-hectare land to the university three years ago.
But there have been running battles between the residents and the institution.
Last year, the RDC, Fred Bawmine, ordered the university to halt the evictions until the residents’ grievances are settled.
“My office has been petitioned by the residents of Nakawa Housing Estate Group B to intervene in their grievance arising from eviction threats from the Islamic University in Uganda,†a letter dated December 18, 2009, read.
“As far as I am concerned, the land in question is government land and the Government has not come up with a clear policy on how to handle the sitting tenants.â€
Bamwine copied the letter to the Jinja Road Police Station and local council officials.
University authorities were not available for a comment.
THE Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) has started demolishing houses in the Nakawa estate despite an order from the Nakawa resident district commissioner (RDC) to halt the exercise.
Men reportedly travelling in a vehicle belonging to the institution, recently stormed the estate and destroyed a house said to belong to Twontoo Obar, a city lawyer.
“We were in bed at about six in the morning when we suddenly heard loud bangs on the sides of the house. About 10 men were using hammers and axes to hit the house,†Paul Okema, Obar’s tenant, said.
“They did not have an eviction order. We want to know why they did this,†Okema said.
He accused Nakawa parish councillor, Stella Tumuhirwe, of being behind the attack, saying she was seen with the IUIU team.
Tumuhirwe denied collaborating with the institution.
She added that Obar received compensation for his house and consented to the demolition.
“There was a meeting during which it was resolved that if a family has received compensation, it should move. However, it seems some people are backtracking,†Tumuhirwe stated.
President Yoweri Museveni gave the 2.5-hectare land to the university three years ago.
But there have been running battles between the residents and the institution.
Last year, the RDC, Fred Bawmine, ordered the university to halt the evictions until the residents’ grievances are settled.
“My office has been petitioned by the residents of Nakawa Housing Estate Group B to intervene in their grievance arising from eviction threats from the Islamic University in Uganda,†a letter dated December 18, 2009, read.
“As far as I am concerned, the land in question is government land and the Government has not come up with a clear policy on how to handle the sitting tenants.â€
Bamwine copied the letter to the Jinja Road Police Station and local council officials.
University authorities were not available for a comment.