UPDF General, RDC Face Eviction in Kalungu Land Row

Brigadier Augustine Kyazze Kamyuka, the Deputy Chief of Logistic and Engineering Brigade in Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF and Kalangala Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Lule Ssenkungo, are on the verge of eviction in a worsening land dispute that threatens thousands of families in Kalungu district.  

Brigadier Kyazze and Ssenkungo are among close to 8,000 people occupying 5 square miles of land covering 12 villages in Bukulula Sub County in Kalungu district. They are under threat of eviction by their landlords who accuses them of failing to meet their tenancy obligations.

George William Ssenoga and Ismael Ssebowa Kagulire claim to have bought the disputed land from Wilfred Mugwanya and want to develop their land. They have given the occupants ninety days to vacate the land or pay them. 

The affected villages are Kalangala, Mukoko cell A, Mukoko South, Mukoko North, Kyamugombwa, Kisanje west, Kisanje East, Bulingo, Kasaka and Lutengo. Kyazze owns a cattle farm on the contested land while Ssekungu and several others residents have got homes and plantations.      

During a community meeting convened Kalungu Resident District Commissioner, Caleb Tukaikiriza on the disputed land the two leaders denied allegations of failure to pay ground rent to the landlord.

  According to Kyazze, they petitioned court to resolve the current impasse and wonder why they are being threatened with eviction before the matter is determined. 

//Cue in: “omusenze kkiriza nti……..

   

Cue out; …….kangendeyo ngire.”//  

Charles Muyanja, the Bukulula Sub county LC III chairperson, says residents are disarray because of fear of eviction because they have nowhere to relocate to.

 

//Cue in: “omuluka Mukoko……  

Cue out; ……tusobole okwenunula.”// 

 

Aisha Ssekindi, the Kalungu District Woman Member of Parliament insists that the said land transaction was conducted erroneously and blames mess on the land office. Ssenkindi says they have repeatedly sought audience with the intolerant landlord in vain, which raises suspicion about the validity of the land title in their possession.

 

//Cue in: “tunulira Nnamungi….

Cue out; ……nga wetuli.”//

Caleb Tukayi, the Kalungu Resident District Commissioner appealed for calm from residents, saying government will protect their interests as provided for in the land laws.  

//Cue in: “omusenze, omutuuze……….. 

Cue out: ……tewabawo okutawaganya.”//