OVER 5O HOUSES BURNT, CROPS DESTROYED IN HOIMA

By Yosam Gucwaki
www.mknewslink.com
In Hoima
Over 50 houses have been burnt, crop gardens and property worth millions destroyed during a land eviction in Rwensambya village, Butema parish in Buhanika sub-county in Hoima district on Monday.
On Monday morning, a group of about 15 men who are said to be court bailiffs backed by police stormed Rwensambya village to evict over 100 families sitting on the disputed land that measures about two squire miles.
The affected residents have for the past ten years been battling for the land with Keloyi Kiiza, Moses Kahwa, Dick Rwesemereza, Deo Agaba, Augustine Bisoborwa, Alex Abitekaniza and Innocent Ayesiga.
The affected residents who include; Nyendwoha Yosam, Remijo Jawiyambe, Byamukama Richard, Kiiza Yostance, Jackson Kandole and others have told our reporter that on Saturday, a team of Hoima district officials led by the Resident District Commissioner Samuel Kisembo Araali visited the area and ordered them to vacate the disputed land within 24 hours or else face eviction.
Kisembo is alleged to have been in the company of the Hoima DPC and DISO.
Kiiza and the group are said to have dragged the residents to Masindi High Court for allegedly encroaching on their land. On 14th January, 2019, court ruled in favour of the plaintiff, but the defendants in the next day they filed an appeal.
The residents now wonder why the RDC would order for an eviction even when the matter is still in court.
The Hoima district LCV chairman Kadri Kirungi, who rushed to the scene has condemned the eviction. Kadri wondered why the office of RDC and DPC went ahead to evict the residents without an eviction order and accused the security officials of being compromised.
Our reporter was unable to get a comment from the Hoima RDC as his known phone number was not going through.
In December 2018, President Yoweri Museveni issued a directive stopping the eviction of lawful and bonafide occupants without approval from the Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106