Minister, MPs intervene in Amolatar District land dispute

The land dispute has pitted the residents of Bungu Cell against one Juliet Katushabe, who claims the land belonged to her deceased father, Kaweki Nafutali.

Following the riots, the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, met with the area leaders and their counterparts from Nakasongola District with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the impasse.

The minister, who was accompanied by area members of parliament (MP) and district officials, said during a media briefing at Parliament on Friday, August 8, 2023, that Katushabe’s claim on the land was not the first.

"Reports indicate that this is not her first time to make claims in the area and get compensation. It is possible that there may be other people behind this. If her claims are genuine, then the government has a responsibility to secure them, but if they are false, then action will be taken," said Magyezi.

Magyezi added that perpetrators of crimes committed during the riots will be investigated and action taken.

The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanjja, said the concerns about the effects of the demonstration were brought before her by Nakasongola County MP, Noah Mutebi, which prompted a meeting to be convened to solve the impasse.

On Sunday, July 16, 2023, rioters in Namasale demonstrated in light of information that Katushabe planned to evict residents.

According to Mutebi, the demonstration, which affected some residents of Zengebe Landing Site in Nakasongola District, led to looting, destruction of property, and injuries to locals in the area.

"Vehicles were vandalised, fish was confiscated, and houses were burned." We urge the district security committees in Amolatar and Nakasongola to compile a list of the affected persons so that we can manage this further," he said.

Moses Okot, MP for Kioga County, said a letter to hold a meeting with Namasale residents, written by Katushabe's lawyers, Eyotre & Company Advocates, was not done in consultation with the district leadership.

"The actions by Katushabe are a manifestation of land-grabbing cartels. Preliminary reports indicate that Eyotre does not exist, and thus punitive measures should be taken by the Law Council and the Uganda Law Society," said Okot.

James Olobo, MP for Kioga North County, called on residents of Amolatar district to be cautious about their land.

"I warn our people to be careful with their land. There are people who are trying to grab land in the interest of compensation from the government because of upcoming projects," Olobo warned.

Geoffrey Ocen, the Chairperson, Amolatar District Local Government, pinned the Officer in Charge (OC) of Namasale Police Station for linking Katushabe to the land in question.

"He is the one who distributed the letter from Katushabe, and he misguided the district security committee. We resolved that the OC be arrested and prosecuted accordingly," Ocen added.

Nakasongola District Woman Representative, Victorious Zawedde, noted that there was a planned demonstration by residents of Zengebe Landing Site and called on locals to keep calm and await the government's mediation.

"Nakasongola people are landless and have often urged the government to avail land funds to enable them to own land. I request the government develop strategic interventions to address this matter," said Zawedde.

Benard Sekyanzi, MP for Budyebo County, reiterated calls to residents of Nakasongola District to allow the government to weigh in on matters of land conflict.