Lusanja victims not yet cleared to resettle on land - Judiciary

In October, more than 300 residents of Lusanja village in Kyadondo east constituency, Wakiso District were forcefully evicted and their houses demolished on orders of Nabweru Chief Magistrate, Esther Nasambu.

EVICTION

WAKISO - The Judiciary has advised the victims of Lusanja evictions to seek court protection before they think of commencing reconstruction of their houses.

In October, more than 300 residents of Lusanja village in Kyadondo east constituency, Wakiso District were forcefully evicted and their houses demolished on orders of Nabweru Chief Magistrate, Esther Nasambu.

After a number of contentions and outcries from the victims and their leaders, the principal Judge ordered the land division court to review Nasambu's court order and make a fresh ruling on the case.

On Friday December 14, the deputy registrar of Land division court, Samuel Emokor ruled on behalf of Justice John Eudes Keitirima that the Nabweru Chief Magistrate didn't have jurisdiction to order for an eviction and demolition of the structures.

At the same time, the a section of MPS led by Kyadondo east legislator Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu had earlier presented a related complaint before the floor of parliament seeking legal redress on the same.

Following the land division court ruling, The MPs started mobilising resources for the Lusanja victims to begin reconstructing their houses.

This morning, December 15, Kyagulanyi visited the affected families and delivered iron sheets, cement among other items which were Christmas package   from legislators. He revealed that Medard Lubega Ssegona, MP Busiro east had bought 100 bags of cement, and Ibrahim Kasozi of Makindye West bought 100 iron sheets.

In a phone interview with the New Vision, the spokesperson of the Judiciary Solomon Muyita said, the evictees should seek court protection before they begin any construction.

He explained that although the land division court had ruled in their favour, it was still clear that the land ownership is under contention by someone.

"This means that he has the ability to block their plans or even demolish them once he acquires another court order in that regard" Muyita said.

He added that the MPs should also advise their people on the right approach towards legal matters. "These are law makers who know what to do and how to do it to avoid clashing with the law."

However, Kyagulanyi insists that the people's rights were infringed upon and that they don't need to wait for any court order to construct houses on their land.

"Whoever attacked you here, only managed to demolish your houses but didn't evict you from your property.  Even if you are squatters, the law clearly protects you from illegal evictions," Kyagulanyi told the Lusanja victims.
 
He said that he has already contacted his friends wherever they are, to see that they contribute some financial and moral assistance towards the same cause.

"I and other leaders of this area have started the process of assessing the total cost of the reconstruction programme, which will include drawing plans and seeking their approval, buying material and also plan for some social services like water and electricity," Kyagulanyi added.

Victims speak out

Maymuna Ruhenje Victim:  We wonder how our lives will get back to normal, we have been living under poor health conditions, our health system broke down, crime rate has increased and now we need to establish everything back to normal. We hope that our leaders will help us to go through that process

Hussein Kiyinji

We have trust in our MP Robert Kyagulanyi,  he will fight tooth and nail to see that our rights are protected, however I request him to work with the people in government  to see that his efforts are not blocked. All we need are our hopes to be rebuilt so that we return back to our status as Ugandans and not refugees.

Ssenono Pirate

I thank the legislators for remembering their people. Those who have contributed and those who haven't are all to be thanked but request for more in terms of pushing for implementation of court orders and reestablishment of our sovereign rights as citizens

The Judiciary has advised the victims of Lusanja evictions to seek court protection before they think of commencing reconstruction of their houses.

In October, more than 300 residents of Lusanja village in Kyadondo east constituency, Wakiso District were forcefully evicted and their houses demolished on orders of Nabweru Chief Magistrate, Esther Nasambu.

After a number of contentions and outcries from the victims and their leaders, the principal Judge ordered the land division court to review Nasambu's court order and make a fresh ruling on the case.

On Friday December 14, the deputy registrar of Land division court, Samuel Emokor ruled on behalf of Justice John Eudes Keitirima that the Nabweru Chief Magistrate didn't have jurisdiction to order for an eviction and demolition of the structures.

At the same time, the a section of MPS led by Kyadondo east legislator Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu had earlier presented a related complaint before the floor of parliament seeking legal redress on the same.

Following the land division court ruling, The MPs started mobilising resources for the Lusanja victims to begin reconstructing their houses.

This morning, December 15, Kyagulanyi visited the affected families and delivered iron sheets, cement among other items which were Christmas package   from legislators. He revealed that Medard Lubega Ssegona, MP Busiro east had bought 100 bags of cement, and Ibrahim Kasozi of Makindye West bought 100 iron sheets.

In a phone interview with the New Vision, the spokesperson of the Judiciary Solomon Muyita said, the evictees should seek court protection before they begin any construction.

He explained that although the land division court had ruled in their favour, it was still clear that the land ownership is under contention by someone.

"This means that he has the ability to block their plans or even demolish them once he acquires another court order in that regard" Muyita said.

He added that the MPs should also advise their people on the right approach towards legal matters. "These are law makers who know what to do and how to do it to avoid clashing with the law."

However, Kyagulanyi insists that the people's rights were infringed upon and that they don't need to wait for any court order to construct houses on their land.

"Whoever attacked you here, only managed to demolish your houses but didn't evict you from your property.  Even if you are squatters, the law clearly protects you from illegal evictions," Kyagulanyi told the Lusanja victims.
 
He said that he has already contacted his friends wherever they are, to see that they contribute some financial and moral assistance towards the same cause.

"I and other leaders of this area have started the process of assessing the total cost of the reconstruction programme, which will include drawing plans and seeking their approval, buying material and also plan for some social services like water and electricity," Kyagulanyi added.

Victims speak out

Maymuna Ruhenje Victim:  We wonder how our lives will get back to normal, we have been living under poor health conditions, our health system broke down, crime rate has increased and now we need to establish everything back to normal. We hope that our leaders will help us to go through that process

 

Hussein Kiyinji

 

We have trust in our MP Robert Kyagulanyi,  he will fight tooth and nail to see that our rights are protected, however I request him to work with the people in government  to see that his efforts are not blocked. All we need are our hopes to be rebuilt so that we return back to our status as Ugandans and not refugees.

 

Ssenono Pirate

 

I thank the legislators for remembering their people. Those who have contributed and those who haven't are all to be thanked but request for more in terms of pushing for implementation of court orders and reestablishment of our sovereign rights as citizens