A conflict unfolded on Sunday in Kayunga town as more than 1,000 trees planted by chiefs from the Buganda kingdom were uprooted by unidentified gunmen. The incident occurred on a disputed piece of land near the Kayunga regional referral hospital. The ownership of this land is in contention between Mengo and the family members of the late Malachi Kalya.
Chaos erupted when the gunmen, traveling in a sedan, targeted the trees and flowers that had been planted just a month ago on the contested land. The family of the late Kalya claims ownership of the approximately one-acre plot, situated next to the hospital. However, Mengo disputes this claim, asserting that they hold a valid title to the land.
Mengo has established its Mumyuka headquarters in Kayunga Sub-county on this disputed land, a structure dating back to the 1930s. During the incident, the armed individuals, accompanied by Kalya’s grandson, Mr. Musa Wamala, confronted two of Kabaka’s chiefs, including Mr. Godfrey Katumba. The chiefs were held at gunpoint and ordered to sit on the ground.
Mr. Katumba, recounting the confrontation, stated that he was attempting to address the individuals uprooting the trees when one of them, armed with a pistol, fired a shot into the air and ordered him to sit down. Despite the tense situation, Mr. Katumba expressed relief at not being harmed, emphasizing his willingness to defend the Kabaka’s land at any cost.
The commotion attracted a crowd, including medical staff from the nearby Kayunga regional referral hospital, who attempted to intervene. As tensions escalated, the gunmen retreated to their car and retrieved two AK47 guns, using them to disperse the onlookers before leaving the scene. Despite the incident occurring near the Kayunga police station, the officer in charge claimed they were unaware of the event and did not intervene.
