More than 300 residents in Kityerera sub-county, Mayuge district, protested against their eviction by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) from a forest reserve.
This week, NFA began evicting illegal settlers from the three villages of Bugoya B, Bukalenzi, and Nantamu within the Busoga South forest reserve. Residents accuse NFA of failing to issue eviction notices.
On Friday, protesters burned old tires, tree logs, and other items in the middle of the road, causing traffic paralysis along the Mayuge-Bugadde-Bwondha road, which connects many landing sites and island communities to Mayuge town council.
The protesters insist that they will not vacate unless NFA provides them with alternative land.
Led by Yusuf Ndhoga, the residents stated they have occupied the land for about a decade and allege that NFA intends to allocate it to large-scale sugarcane farmers.
Asuman Semeyi claimed that during the eviction, their houses were set on fire and food crops destroyed. Semeyi also accused local leaders of standing by during the eviction.
Hajjirah Namaganda, another resident, reported that a joint team of security personnel forced her out of her house around 5:30 am.
Michael Okot, NFA’s tree planting manager in South Busoga forest reserve, acknowledged partnering with security personnel to evict illegal settlers from the conservation area but denied allegations of human rights abuses and torture.
Mayuge’s Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Hamis Kiganira, explained that the residents settled in the protected areas between November 2023 and March 2024 and were previously instructed to vacate. He noted that ongoing operations aim to remove illegal settlers peacefully within the next two months, with force as a last resort.
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