A troubling situation has arisen in Nakasongola District, as private security guards, tasked with protecting disputed land, continue to intimidate residents across six villages. Recent incidents, including gunfire near Kikooge R/C Primary School, have sparked safety concerns, particularly for the more than 300 children attending the school.
On February 19, security guards near the school premises discharged firearms into the air, causing panic among pupils, staff, and community members. While the guards claim the incident was accidental, residents are calling for an investigation into the alleged misuse of guns and illegal evictions orchestrated by Mr. Jotham Mafende, who claims ownership of the contested five-square-mile land.
According to Mr. Abdul Ssenozi, the chairperson of Kikooge Village, security guards deployed by Mr. Mafende frequently intimidate residents by firing shots to coerce them into abandoning their land. This intimidation tactic extends to Kikooge R/C Primary School, which is reportedly targeted for eviction.
Mr. Tobby Erabu, the Deputy Headteacher of Kikooge R/C Primary School, described the alarming situation where gunshots near the school compound disrupted classes, instilling fear among children and teachers. The timing of the gunshots, following a training session by the guards, raises suspicions of intentional intimidation.
In neighboring Ndaiga Village, Mr. Dan Ssebyala recounted a harrowing encounter with armed guards when he resisted eviction from his land in August 2023. Despite his resistance, Mr. Ssebyala was met with gunfire, leaving him and his family traumatized. The lack of police intervention in such incidents leaves residents feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
Mr. Abel Bakunda, the Nakasongola Deputy Resident District Commissioner, assured that the District Security Committee is actively investigating the shooting incidents in Kikooge Village. However, the ongoing conflict over the disputed land remains a pressing issue affecting thousands of residents across multiple villages.
The contested land, encompassing approximately five square miles across Wangoma, Ndaiga, Kyadobo, Kalwala, Katuba, Kikooge, and Kikuuta villages, lies at the heart of a protracted ownership dispute. Between Mr. Jotham Mafende and an estimated 4,000 residents, alongside the church, public school, and government health unit, tensions continue to escalate over rightful ownership of the land.
