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Residents Petition Lands Minister As General Kayanja Takeover Forest Reserve In Masaka

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At least 100 residents from Ddimo A and B villages in Kyesiiga Sub-county, Masaka district, have petitioned the Minister of Lands and Housing, Judith Nabakooba, seeking intervention against General Kayanja’s alleged attempt to seize 50 acres of land.
20 Jan 2025 13:55
Some of the Community settlements at Ddimo landing site that have fensed off by Maj General Elly Kayanja

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The former commander of the Crime Crack Unit Operation Wembley, Major General Elly Kayanja, is facing accusations of forcefully taking over a forest reserve in Masaka district, threatening the livelihoods of residents. At least 100 residents from Ddimo A and B villages in Kyesiiga Sub-county, Masaka district, have petitioned the Minister of Lands and Housing, Judith Nabakooba, seeking intervention against General Kayanja’s alleged attempt to seize 50 acres of land.

The petitioners, led by Vincent Byakatonda, the L.C.1 Chairperson of Ddimo A, claim that General Kayanja hired a gang to fence off two landing sites on the shores of Lake Victoria, asserting ownership of the land. They allege that this land belongs to the National Forest Authority (NFA), and they have been legally using it for settlements and as operational bases for the landing sites.

Byakatonda says their troubles began in November last year when they were served eviction notices, giving them a 60-day deadline to vacate. He questions how General Kayanja obtained land titles for land already occupied under NFA oversight. In addition to fencing off the disputed area, Byakatonda accuses Kayanja’s group of cutting down hundreds of traditional tree species from the forest reserve for timber, wood, and charcoal sales. “We have engaged NFA range officers, and they do not approve of this land takeover. We appeal to your office to address this impunity and protect us,” the petition reads in part. Byakatonda further claims they have repeatedly asked General Kayanja to present certificates of ownership, but he has failed to do so, instead resorting to force.

//Cue in: “Ensonga obutali butebenkeenvu...

Cue out: “…Ddimu A ne Ddimu B.”//

Gordon Mayanja, the Kyesiiga Sub-county Chairperson, expressed similar frustrations. He says local leaders were not informed about any ownership changes and attempts to engage General Kayanja to resolve the issue have been ignored. Instead, workers under heavy security have erected fences on the disputed land. Mayanja appealed to the Minister of Lands and the Chief of Defense Forces to intervene and address what he described as impunity. Jane Nabasumba and Gerald Muweesi, residents at Ddimo Landing Site, say the conflict has disrupted their livelihoods as they can no longer access the lake. They warned they might resort to violence if authorities fail to act urgently.

//Cue in: “Naye eky’ennaku...

Cue out: “…tusaba obwenkanya.”//

Robert Mubokisa, the NFA Masaka Zonal Officer, denied knowledge of how General Kayanja acquired ownership of the land, maintaining that it is still part of the Mujuzi Central Forest Reserve, which is under NFA protection. He pledged to seek intervention from the NFA Executive Director to protect the reserve from encroachment. However, Maj. Gen. Elly Kayanja dismissed the allegations as malicious and sponsored claims. He said he legally obtained certificates of ownership with recommendations from local leadership and expressed readiness to defend his position before any authority.