State House probes its own Gen Lukyamuzi over land-related violence

The State House Anti Corruption Unit is looking into allegations brought against Brigadier General Moses Lukyamuzi, head of the State House Land Protection Unit who is accused of fueling illegal land evictions using

While the unit aims to curb land grabbing, Minister for Lands Hon Sam Mayanja accuses Gen Lukyamuzi of facilitating violent evictions instead.

The issue came to light during a locus visit by Minister Mayanja to Kataale-Busawula in Kyengera, Wakiso district.

Here, residents reported Pastor Jeremiah Sebakijje of World Answers Church International using violent means to evict them from his purported land. Joseph Lukyamuzi, a resident, recounted how a gang of men, allegedly brought in by Pastor Ssebakijje, destroyed his crops and plantation.

Adding another layer of complexity, village chairman Samuel Lule revealed that Joseph Lukyamuzi is a "Kibanja" holder – a customary land tenure system – on the disputed land. While Pastor Ssebakijje claims ownership with documents like a title, the chairman alleges these documents pertain to a different plot.

The plot thickens as Minister Mayanja points the finger at Gen Lukyamuzi. He claims Gen Lukyamuzi facilitated the violence, not just in Kataale-Busawula, but also in nearby Nabbingo. Mayanja, acknowledging Gen Lukyamuzi's senior UPDF (Ugandan People's Defence Force) position, reported the matter to President Museveni.

"It was Gen Lukyamuzi who brought the Kifesi group and they slashed people's property and kidnapped some people," stated the minister.

Unable to directly take action, Mayanja a UPDF general, Minister Mayanja together with the Wakiso RDC Justine Mbabazi forwarded the case to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit led by Gen Henry Isoke.

Mbabazi is set to lead a the group of victims whose properties have been destroyed to Gen Isoke, to make statements.

This is not the first land-related accusation against Gen Lukyamuzi. Earlier this year, his unit faced allegations of supporting land grabbers in Kito, Namugongo. Here, they reportedly tried to override police and court orders on contested land.

In response to such incidents, State House issued a clarification earlier in 2024. They outlined the unit's mandate, which includes preventing encroachment on protected areas and responding to land grabbing.

However, the statement emphasized that investigations, detentions, and prosecutions remain outside the unit's purview and fall under the police, Director of Public Prosecutions, and courts.

Minister Mayanja expressed frustration, stating that individuals like Gen Lukyamuzi damage the government's image.

"These are the people tarnishing the name of the government," he said.

He further directed the Wakiso RDC to initiate Pastor Ssebakijje's arrest and deploy security to prevent further violent evictions.