Two UPDF soldiers accused of evicting their elderly father from home

Nathan Musoke, 80, constructed his own house at Mawundwe village in Malangala sub-county in Mityana district when he was just 20 years. 

A few years back, a mob attacked him and demolished the house, accusing his children of stealing a motorcycle but Musoke reconstructed it.

However, when two of his children joined the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF), they demanded free access to the piece of land. 

As if free access was not enough, the children have now allegedly evicted Musoke from both the house and land. 

"I was forced to ask my bosses to send officers here to stop what was going on as I had someone was destroying crops," Betty Nassanga, a soldier and a daughter of Musoke, explained how she caused the arrest of their father.

Nassanga acted with the support of her brother, Moses Galabuzi, also a soldier.
 
Father arrested

Musoke was arrested with two of his children; Ronald Muwemba, Edward Kabakanzalwa, and his second wife, Deborah Namande.

The suspects spent three days at Zigoti Police station and referred to Mityana Police Station.

These were, however, released on orders of the District Police Commander, Alex Mwine Mukono.

"When I saw the old man during the suspects' parade, I ordered for his immediate release and without any charges," Mukono confirmed.

He said he also summoned the UPDF officers but by Saturday they had not appeared.

"We are still waiting for them but they are not responding. We shall decide on how to handle the situation if they do not come," Mukono added.

After being evicted from his house, Musoke rented a small room at Zigoti trading centre. This is where Namande picked him from and took him to her house at Kikonge trading centre.

Namande explained that the two soldiers have for long been trying to take over the family property and accused her of using the land.

"I had a small piece of land where I was cultivating but never accessed the family house. I have lived away from there but they tried to stop me from using the land. However, they should know that this is their biological father and the property belongs to him," Namande said. 

Children warned

The chairman of Uganda Bibanja Holders Association, Abraham Luwalira, last week met and addressed the family members over the matter.

In a meeting held at the home of Musoke, Nassanga admitted having caused the arrest while her brother confirmed chasing the father.

They claimed their own mother, Joyce Nakamatte, who was in the house was sick and so they wanted to block their farther from bringing in Namande, his second wife.

In response, Luwalira warned the children that it was bad to lock their father out of his house.

"It was not fair to arrest such a person of his age for all those days. The children must instead just be looking after him," Luwalira said.

"Currently, he is not comfortable where he is living and this may further affect his life. We should respect our parents and always know that what belongs to the parent is not for children," he added.