Residents and leaders in Kiryandongo are engaged in a dispute over alleged land grabbing, with accusations of leaders aiding the practice and failing to protect residents from investor-related marginalization. The concerns were voiced during a dialogue on land rights and the environment organized by Witness Radio.
Joseph Walikura, representing evictees from various ranches, accused district leaders of neglecting the protection of people’s land rights, citing compromises made by most leaders. He claimed that poor management of land systems and collusion between leaders, security, and technocrats contribute to the eviction of over 40,000 households since 2017, impacting food production.
Pastor Job Olara criticized leaders for not defending ordinary people from property loss, attributing the issue to corruption and cowardice among office-bearers. Caroline Nyamaizi blamed the courts for favoring the rich and neglecting the poor, urging leaders and technocrats to prioritize the interests of the ordinary person.
In response, district physical planner Doreen Chandia argued that residents fail to distinguish between public and customary land, emphasizing that settling on public land allocated to investors is not the fault of district leaders. David Kyategeka, the land board secretary, highlighted challenges in sensitizing people on land rights due to budget constraints and the temptation to encroach on seemingly idle land.
Kiryandongo district LC5 chairperson Edith Aliguma dismissed accusations against leaders and technocrats, asserting that the complainants were evicted from government-owned ranches allocated to investors. She urged residents to stop settling on public land, emphasizing the need for evidence to support claims of corruption.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Jonathan Akweteireho acknowledged historical injustices and urged a careful resolution of land issues in Bunyoro, emphasizing the need for awareness on acquiring letters of administration. He noted challenges posed by squatters and stressed the importance of sensitizing them on land rights.
Geoffrey Ssebagala Wokulira, the country director of Witness Radio, highlighted Kiryandongo as a hotspot for land grabbing, calling for a structured framework to address conflicts and advocating for a district by-law on evictions.
