Police camps at ex-Toro prime minister's home

PIC: Irumba at his farm, where thugs allegedly killed five cows, stole two and injured three others. The Police has camped at his home and farm to ensure his safety. (file photo)

KYEGEGWA - The Police have deployed at the home of former Toro Kingdom prime minister Stephen Irumba following an attack on his farm.
 
Over the weekend, a group of unidentified people attacked Irumba's farm in Rwentuha sub-county Kyegegwa district, killing five cows.
 
Three other cows were injured, while two others were stolen.
 
The attack comes hardly two weeks after the Government started the process of settling the long standing dispute between Irumba and the Office of the Prime Minister.
 
In 2016, the office of the Prime Minister, through the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness settled hundreds of Ugandan returnees, who were repatriated from Tanzania, in Kyaka 1 refugee camp.
 
Irumba claims that during the resettlement process, 200 acres of his 500-acre titled farm land was encroached on.
 
He has reported a case at Kyegegwa Police, saying that he fears for his life and that of his family.
 
"I am worried that this group of people might at any time attack my home. My family is now living in fear," Irumba said.
 
According to Irumba most of his employees at the farm have fled for their lives.
 
He suspects that some local leaders could have mobilised the returnees living on the disputed farm land to kill his cows.
 
"Some of the leaders here in Kyegegwa are against the reopening of the boundaries exercise, which is geared towards solving the land dispute between me and the Government" Irumba said.
 
Benson Byamukama, the Kyegegwa district Police commander, said a general inquiry file into the matter has been opened.
 
"Investigations on who could have attacked Irumba's farm are ongoing, but no suspect has been arrested so far," Byamukama said.
 
He confirmed that armed Police had been deployed at Irumba's home and farm to guarantee his safety.