Vehicle torched in Wakiso land row

A commuter taxi registration number UBD 236Z was on Saturday evening set alight by residents of Kavundira village, Katabi town council in Wakiso district, over suspicion the it had been ferrying men who had allegedly demolished a resident’s house.

According to Faizal Semanda a resident at Kavundira village, several men who claimed to be court bailiffs had travelled to the village in two commuter taxis and demolished a house belonging to Irene Nakasusu.

"When we inquired for a court order allowing them to evict the lady, they only presented a letter from the Office of the President dealing in land matters," explained Semanda.

Nakasusu said the men did not target her house only, but those of other residents.

"They had started with mine because it was the one on the roadside but we were quick to raise an alarm that alerted other residents and Police who responded immediately and scared them off," said Nakasusu.

Irene Nakasusu whose house was demolished. Photo by Julius Luwemba

Facing resistance from residents, one group of the alleged court bailiffs boarded one of the taxis which whisked them away, while the other taxi was surrounded by a mob that set it alight.

The rest of the men fled leaving behind the driver of the taxi. He was beaten by the mob before Police from Kasenyi Landing Site came to his aid.

According to the residents, a few months ago, there surfaced a man only known as Nsubuga, in the company of another man only known as Segawa. They claimed to be the owners of the land and ordered residents to vacate.

"However, since that day, the two had never returned, and the next we have seen, are these rogues coming to demolish our houses," narrated resident Taddeo Mukasa.