Africa-Press – Uganda. Residents from three villages in Hoima District have raised alarm over alleged harassment and forced evictions from land belonging to the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, prompting Prince Okwiiri Fred Mugenyi Lukyunya to personally tour the affected areas and address the long-standing dispute.
The residents, drawn from Nsozzi, Lwembawo and Nyairongo villages, accuse some government officials and alleged land grabbers of violently pushing them off kingdom land, destroying homes, crops and places of worship.
Speaking to journalists before meeting residents, Prince Okwiiri said the Kingdom was aware of the suffering of its people and had stepped in to seek clarity and justice.
“This land includes Bugoma Forest, and the Omukama only granted Hoima Sugar Limited a lease of 22 square miles,” Prince Okwiiri said.
“The remaining land was left for our people to grow food. Anyone exceeding these boundaries is acting illegally.”
Prince Okwiiri, who was accompanied by the Resident District Commissioner Godwin Agaliya and District Police Commander Abeeri Byarugahare, called for calm and assured residents that the Kingdom would work with government authorities to protect lawful occupants.
“Rent collected from tenants on kingdom land must benefit the Kingdom and help our people,” he said. “Those exploiting our land through illegal means must be arrested.”
During the meeting, residents recounted experiences of violence and intimidation, accusing former Resident District Commissioner Amullani Tumusiime of leading evictions that they say have continued even after his departure.
“Our houses were demolished, our crops destroyed, and some of us were beaten,” one resident from Nsozzi village said.
“We have lived here for years, but we are treated like criminals.”
Bishop Kosiya Kanyamukuma gave an emotional account of his ordeal, saying he was assaulted, detained and evicted from land he had occupied for 25 years.
“They beat me, locked me up, destroyed my house and even the church,” Bishop Kanyamukuma said. “All this happened on land where I have served the community for decades.”
An elderly resident, Vincent Mayanja, broke down as he narrated his experience, kneeling to thank Prince Okwiiri for visiting the area.
“I supported this government, but soldiers came, arrested me and took everything I owned,” Mayanja said. “My house was destroyed, my property stolen, yet I still owe the bank money I borrowed to develop this land.”
Prince Okwiiri also introduced Keefa Kwikirizza as the Kingdom’s appointed administrator for Bunyoro land, a move residents welcomed.
Police later arrested a man accused of extorting up to two million shillings from locals under the guise of facilitating land matters.
Addressing the gathering, RDC Godwin Agaliya pledged to investigate all allegations of abuse.
“No one is above the law,” Agaliya said. “We shall ensure that the rights of residents are protected as boundaries are clearly established.”
Despite their bitterness, residents expressed renewed hope following the Kingdom’s intervention.
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