Police opens probe into Lukaya land wrangles

An investigation into a longstanding family wrangle involving children, their father and Chinese investors is underway. 

Four children from Kulubya Cell in Lukaya Town Council are accusing their father Gideon Kisitu, the former Bulemezi County chief, of destroying their food plantations in attempt to evict them from family land. 

The 247 acres of disputed land is located on Plot 288, Block 185 and is home to various projects including a cattle farm, commercial fish pond, banana and sugarcane plantations. 

The children; David Ntale, Beatrice Ssemwogerere, Eriab Kizito and Fred Kizza, are all children of the late Dez Nannyonga who was Kisitu's first wife. 

On Sunday night, a group of people alleged to have been hired by Kisitu, cut down two-acres of banana and sugarcane plantations. 

Led by David Ntege, the family reported the matter to Lukaya Police Station which began investigations. 

Trouble stems from a longstanding family dispute where by Kisitu and his children all want to lease the land to Chinese investors. 

The land is being managed by Wamala Foundation Trust Ltd with Kisitu being the director and Ntege one of the top administrators. 

Through Wetaka, Kibirango & Co. Advocates, Kisitu wrote several eviction notices to Ntege and his brothers in a bid to pave way for the investors to roll out their projects on the land. 

However, the four children have refused to leave claiming they also have claim over the land. 

"He first evicted us from the family land in Nakaseke. But we will not vacate the Kalungu land. Where does he want us to go? It is the company to decide on the land and not him alone as an individual," he argued. 

Ntege said they got information that Kisitu received an unknown sum of money from Chinese investors in exchange for of the land without their consent. 

Separate information indicated that Ntege had given 100 acres of the land to the investors to grow rice without Kisitu's consent.

In retaliation, Kisitu also made a deal with the investors and gave away the entire 247 acres for the rice scheme which Ntege protested.

According to Vianney Birungi, the officer in charge of Lukaya Police Station, the family matter needs to be handled carefully. 

He said that they are going to contact the said investors for information regarding the land and see what to do to resolve the matter.

Speaking to New Vision, Kisitu admitted having hired people to clear Ntege's plantations as a warning for them to leave. 

"If Ntege and his siblings fail to leave, I will do more than that. I want to lease the land to Chinese investors who will give us some money but they have interfered with the process," he said. 

A district official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the Chinese paid an unknown sum of money to Kisitu and they are demanding for the land to begin their projects.