On June 30, 2024, Mityana’s Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Prossy Mwanjuzi, expressed her gratitude in a thanksgiving mass for surviving an arson attack. Mwanjuzi, also known as “Muwala wa Kadaga,” recounted how, just after midnight on June 1, 2024, arsonists attacked her home in Mityana town, setting part of her house on fire and destroying her car. The fire caused the loss of household property worth millions of shillings.
“I remained holed up in the bedroom, making phone calls to the DPC, who ignored my calls and never answered,” Mwanjuzi said. She added that it was only after she contacted a senior officer of the Mityana UPDF detachment that a response team arrived, but by then, the perpetrators had already fled.
The thanksgiving mass took place at her parents’ home village in Bulembo, Kidera sub-county, Buyende district, and was presided over by Bishop James Bukomeko of Mityana Diocese. The event was attended by Minister for Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda, State Minister for Lands Sam Mayanja, and several local leaders and RDCs, including Stanley Bayoole from Bulambuli.
Mwanjuzi attributed the attack to wealthy individuals with whom she has clashed over land-grabbing issues in Mityana, which have affected many locals. “Because I stand against tycoons grabbing land from poor locals, they are after my life. Earlier, the matter went to court, but before a verdict was reached, my lawyer was attacked and killed,” Mwanjuzi said, nearly in tears.
Before her current position, Mwanjuzi served as the RCC of Mbale Northern Division. She was later transferred to Mityana as the Deputy Resident District Commissioner.
Bishop Bukomeko lamented the increasing incidents of people taking lives over material wealth and urged the government to protect the poor from oppression by the wealthy. “We are all equal, regardless of economic status. Taking another’s life is against God’s law,” Bishop Bukomeko emphasized.
During the event, Minister Babalanda urged local leaders to help transition people from subsistence farming to a money economy by empowering them to generate household income. “Leaders, especially MPs, can establish poultry demonstration farms and hubs where locals can access chicks and starter feeds for free. Once mature, these birds can be sold for further income generation,” Babalanda suggested. She added that such initiatives could help reduce poverty.
Babalanda also emphasized the importance of education, urging parents to invest in their children’s schooling as a means of transforming families and society. State Minister for Lands Sam Mayanja highlighted the escalating land disputes and grabbing across the country, urging the Judiciary and security forces to ensure that the wealthy do not oppress the poor.
