On January 1, 2024, a family faced another attempt at eviction by police officers, despite their house having been partially demolished on Christmas Day in 2022. The intervention of Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha, the Resident City Commissioner for Nakawa Division, halted the eviction on a public holiday. Kamugisha asserted that the police officers attempting the eviction were acting illegally, as they were not bailiffs, and the case on the house’s ownership was still pending in court.
Kamugisha criticized the irregular eviction attempt and called for a police investigation into their actions. He emphasized the need for adherence to legal procedures and expressed concerns that such incidents could erode public confidence in the police.
The property in question, located in Kigoowa, Nakawa Division, Kampala City, is part of the estate of the late Johnson Orech. Ownership disputes arose after Orech’s death in 1995, with allegations that the property was willed to be under the administration of his widow, Lucy Mary Orech. The widow did not transfer the property to her name, and it remained under the management of her sister, who is claimed to have sold it. The deceased’s children filed a petition in the High Court, which they lost. They subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal, awaiting a decision.
Despite Minister Judith Nabakooba’s directive on December 22, 2023, prohibiting eviction orders during the festive season, police, accompanied by private security guards, attempted the eviction on January 1. Kamugisha emphasized the need for a police investigation into the officers involved in the eviction attempt.
In response, the police spokesman, Fred Enanga, stated that their actions are guided by court orders and judgments. He mentioned the need to consult with the police’s legal affairs team for further guidance.
