The Magistrate’s Court in Mukono has scheduled November 16 as the date for the ruling in the case involving Mr. Jackson Twinamatsiko, the former chairperson of the Mukono land committee. He is accused of criminal trespass and malicious damage.
The decision to set the ruling date was made by Chief Magistrate Roselyn Nsenge after the prosecution confirmed their readiness for the outcome.
The charges against Mr. Twinamatsiko stem from an incident on March 16, 2023, when he allegedly hired individuals to demolish Major Mark Wanyama’s house and cut down his eucalyptus trees on a piece of land located at Mbeya Island in Mpunge sub-county, Mukono District.
The prosecution argues that it is unnecessary to determine land ownership at this stage since Major Wanyama is already in possession of the land, and both criminal and civil proceedings can progress concurrently.
Mr. Twinamatsiko, through his lawyer Stephen Turyatunga, had previously requested the court to suspend the criminal proceedings until the civil case, where he disputes ownership of the land with Major Mark Wanyama, is heard and decided.
According to Crispus Asiimwe, the legal officer representing Major Wanyama from Mwesigwa Rukutana and Company Advocates, Major Wanyama purchased the 25-acre piece of land from Francis Tyaba, and he possesses the necessary documents to prove his ownership.
On the other hand, Mr. Twinamasiko’s lawyer, Turyatunga, claims that his client was the initial buyer of the same piece of land from Francis Tyaba. He asserts that Tyaba later sold the land to Major Wanyama at a higher price, leading to the ongoing dispute.
The case regarding the rightful owner of the land is pending judgment at the Mukono High Court.
