Kamuli, Uganda: A fresh dispute has erupted over land belonging to Busoga University in Kamuli District, with residents accusing security personnel of forceful evictions amid unresolved compensation claims.
The contested land, located at Bukwenge in Northern Division, Kamuli Municipality, hosts the university’s agricultural study centre spanning approximately 98 acres.
Residents claim they surrendered their land for the university’s expansion decades ago but have never been compensated.
“We have been keeping the land for over 40 years, but we have not yet been paid,” one affected resident told DailyExpress.
The situation has escalated after residents accused university security and the Uganda Police of forcibly evicting them from the land, raising tensions in the area.
The development adds a new layer to the long-running land saga surrounding Busoga University, which was taken over by the government following its closure by the Church of Uganda over alleged mismanagement.
Government Steps In
In response to the growing dispute, a stakeholders’ meeting was convened at the university campus, led by Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mafumo Adonia.
The meeting resolved to give residents two designated days within a month to present their compensation claims to a verification task force.
Mr. John Tabuuti, Chairperson of the Task Force for the re-establishment of Busoga University as a public institution, urged affected individuals to submit verifiable documentation. “We will effectively reorganise the compensation plan, but residents must present clear proof of land ownership,” Tabuuti said.
Local leaders have called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. The LC3 Chairperson for Northern Division appealed to the task force to handle the matter transparently and allow residents to fully present their grievances.
Meanwhile, Kamuli District Chairperson Sarah Sambya criticised the Church of Uganda, accusing it of misleading government regarding compensation of bona fide occupants. “We urge the government to ensure that all those who were not compensated are paid accordingly,” Sambya said.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Kamuli District Police Commander Henry Mugarura, Assistant RDC Rechae Bakaki, and Prof. Katwalo Mulungi.
Authorities say the verification process will guide the next steps in resolving the dispute, as pressure mounts to address long-standing grievances.
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