Over 1,000 residents of Mandwiga in Kyangwali Sub-County, Kikuube District, have reclaimed their land after a decade-long struggle. The residents were forcefully evicted from an expansive 860-hectare piece of land in 2010 by the directors of Nkuse Ranchers, including Minister for Public Service Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the late John Bahemuka (then LC-3 Chairperson of Bugambe Sub-County), and James Byegarazo. Allegedly, the eviction was carried out due to accusations of illegal settlement on their land.
The recent joyous development follows government intervention through the Land Fund, which facilitated compensation for the affected residents. Vision Reporter captured the emotional scenes as families returned to their respective pieces of land, bringing an end to a protracted land dispute that had disrupted their lives for over a decade.
The evicted residents, who had endured displacement and uncertainty since 2010, expressed relief and gratitude for the compensation that enabled them to reclaim their homes and livelihoods. The Land Fund played a crucial role in restoring justice and providing financial redress to those who had been unlawfully displaced.
As the community members re-occupy their land, this victory symbolizes not only the resilience of the affected families but also the effectiveness of legal mechanisms in addressing land disputes and ensuring the rightful ownership of property. The celebration marks a significant milestone in the quest for justice and the protection of citizens’ land rights.
