KIKUUBE, UGANDA: Over 200 families in Rwengabi village in Kaseeta Parish Kabwoya Sub county in Kikuube District are living in great fear after receiving threats to be evicted from their ancestral land.
The conflicted land which covers over 470 acres is found a few Kilometers from Kabale International Airport.
Residents accuse a businessman only identified as Allan of sending security personnel to threaten them to evict their land voluntarily which he claims to be his.
The affected residents said that Allan have never bought land in their areas but he wants to take ownership of the land that belonged to his grandfather identified as Ezekiel.
According to the residents, Ezekiel bought 18 acres of land in Rwengabi village 18 years ago, however, Allan wants to use that opportunity to grab the whole village land.
Mustafa Kyahurwenda one of the residents wonders why Allan has turned against the residents to grab their land yet he seemed to be a good resident on his arrival.
“Allan came to his grandfather’s land which he bought 18 years back and seemed to be a good resident however, for a short time he is turning against the whole village claiming the whole village land belongs to his grandpa”. Kyahurwenda said.
Kyahurwenda adds that the residents are leaving in great fear due to the deployment of security personnel in the community claiming to be guarding Allan’s land.
According to some affected residents, the current threats are reminding them the village attack on 3rd December in 2014 where over 100 families were left homeless.
The attack was made by some Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom officials and concerned citizens in preparation of the Omukama Solomon Gaffabusa Iguru visit to the land which was culturally known as a learning place for the Kingdom.
In the attack, over 70 houses were burnt, several properties spoilt, and some buildings of Rwengabi community school.
Sylvia Nanuka, also a resident wonders why Allan didn’t support them in 2014 during the attack but he is now claiming ownership of the land.
The residents also accuse the Kikuube District Security Committee of supporting Allan in the preparation for their eviction in their ancestral Land.
However, Amulan Tumusiime the Kikuube RDC says he has no connection to Allan’s planned land grabbing and promised to follow the matter.
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