Police in the Savannah Region are investigating a violent arson attack that occurred at Mayinja’s farm in Butibulongo Village, Kito Sub-county, Nakaseke District on Sunday.
Suspected arsonists attacked the farm, destroying property worth billions of shillings, including a tractor, bulldozer, wheel loader, and a truck.
Several workers were injured during the attack, with some claiming that the attackers were masked and armed with machetes and clubs.
“We were terrified when the attackers invaded the farm in the early morning hours. It was still dark, and they ordered us to vacate before setting fire to several structures containing our equipment,” one injured worker told the Monitor on Monday.
The attack, which occurred around 2:00 Am, left several workers injured and resulted in the destruction of valuable property, including four makeshift tents, a Canter Elf (registration number UAM 252Q), a Pajero (registration number UAS 044J), a tractor, and a bulldozer.
According to Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson Sam Twineamazima, a group of unknown individuals, armed with pangas and sticks, invaded the farm while workers were asleep in makeshift tents. The attackers assaulted the workers before the victims managed to flee the scene.
Twineamazima said detectives have visited the crime scene and estimated property losses at Shs3 billion.
“The attackers set ablaze four structures, a wheel loader, tractor, bulldozer, a Pajero car, and other equipment. They also looted engine fuel and other valuables. Our teams are collecting statements as part of the investigation,” he said.
The farm is owned by commercial farmer Arnold Mayinja. The destroyed equipment was being used to clear the over one-square-mile piece of land.
Mayinja stated that he has entrusted the investigation to the police but vowed to find those responsible for the attack. “The attack was clearly planned,” he added.
Some Kito Parish residents linked the attack to a long-standing land ownership dispute involving multiple parties.
“The land where the farm is located is part of the former six-square-mile land with a long-standing unresolved ownership dispute currently before the courts,” said Samuel Kironde, the local defense secretary at Kito Village.
