Police probe land dispute in Entebbe
Jan 20, 2008
THE Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has ordered an investigation into a five-year land dispute on Kampala-Entebbe Road.
By Alfred Wasike
THE Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has ordered an investigation into a five-year land dispute on Kampala-Entebbe Road.
Several people’s property, including that of Justice Christine Kitumba of the Court of Appeal were recently destroyed allegedly by armed security officers.
“It is an incredible scenario. I have directed my people to get to the bottom of that problem. We cannot have people taking the law into their hands. Bitwire is handling that matter,†Kayihura said.
Alfred Bitwire, the central regional Police commander, confirmed the probe.
“We are digging for the truth. We are inquiring why soldiers were involved in the whole thing. I cannot disclose much at this point but we are recording statements from all parties with a view to uncovering the truth.â€
The Police action follows an 11-page petition filed by over 200 landlords to the President’s Office, the Attorney General, Police chief and Chief of Defence Forces, complaining about harassment and lack of government protection.
Some of the petitioners include Kitumba, Eng. William Ssentoogo, Col. Fred M. Bogere, Col. Eric Mukasa, Muzaphar Lwere, Noah Kasasa, Peter Kyanjo, Ernest Kiiza, Paul Gasaka, Anthony Mayanja, George Lumala, Aswald Ssemmanda, Mpamize Kanyonyore, Herman Semakula, Borus Products, Tom Tenyigwa, John Sebalamu, and Movit Products.
They argue that Rashid Muyingo, a descendant of Temutewo Bigomba, one of Kabaka’s chiefs who benefited from the 1900 Agreement, is seeking to repossess land they lawfully acquired.
The swathe of the contested six square miles is described as Blocks 383-39, covering Kitende, Mawanyi, Bwebajja, Kabulamuliro, Nganjo, Ddewe, Lumuli, Makandwa, Wassozi, Sekiwunga and others.
Through their lawyers, Wycliffe Birungi and Emmy Musasirane, the petitioners implicated Brig. Balikalege Wasswa in the forceful evictions and destruction of property last month.
The New Vision visited the scene and saw destroyed building materials like blocks, burnt wooden fencing poles, smashed concrete fencing poles and other vandalised property.
Some of the people occupying the land possess receipts of purchase, title deeds and other documents dating back to the 1960s and 1970s.
The petitioners claimed that Muyingo had sought help from the President’s office, Entebbe deputy RDC, the Police and the commissioner of land registration.
They also complained that their developments had stalled due to unending investigations by the Police, the DPP, the RDC, State House and the lands ministry.
THE Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has ordered an investigation into a five-year land dispute on Kampala-Entebbe Road.
Several people’s property, including that of Justice Christine Kitumba of the Court of Appeal were recently destroyed allegedly by armed security officers.
“It is an incredible scenario. I have directed my people to get to the bottom of that problem. We cannot have people taking the law into their hands. Bitwire is handling that matter,†Kayihura said.
Alfred Bitwire, the central regional Police commander, confirmed the probe.
“We are digging for the truth. We are inquiring why soldiers were involved in the whole thing. I cannot disclose much at this point but we are recording statements from all parties with a view to uncovering the truth.â€
The Police action follows an 11-page petition filed by over 200 landlords to the President’s Office, the Attorney General, Police chief and Chief of Defence Forces, complaining about harassment and lack of government protection.
Some of the petitioners include Kitumba, Eng. William Ssentoogo, Col. Fred M. Bogere, Col. Eric Mukasa, Muzaphar Lwere, Noah Kasasa, Peter Kyanjo, Ernest Kiiza, Paul Gasaka, Anthony Mayanja, George Lumala, Aswald Ssemmanda, Mpamize Kanyonyore, Herman Semakula, Borus Products, Tom Tenyigwa, John Sebalamu, and Movit Products.
They argue that Rashid Muyingo, a descendant of Temutewo Bigomba, one of Kabaka’s chiefs who benefited from the 1900 Agreement, is seeking to repossess land they lawfully acquired.
The swathe of the contested six square miles is described as Blocks 383-39, covering Kitende, Mawanyi, Bwebajja, Kabulamuliro, Nganjo, Ddewe, Lumuli, Makandwa, Wassozi, Sekiwunga and others.
Through their lawyers, Wycliffe Birungi and Emmy Musasirane, the petitioners implicated Brig. Balikalege Wasswa in the forceful evictions and destruction of property last month.
The New Vision visited the scene and saw destroyed building materials like blocks, burnt wooden fencing poles, smashed concrete fencing poles and other vandalised property.
Some of the people occupying the land possess receipts of purchase, title deeds and other documents dating back to the 1960s and 1970s.
The petitioners claimed that Muyingo had sought help from the President’s office, Entebbe deputy RDC, the Police and the commissioner of land registration.
They also complained that their developments had stalled due to unending investigations by the Police, the DPP, the RDC, State House and the lands ministry.