Rukiga, Uganda: Tension is mounting among vendors at Rushebeya Market in Rukiga District following a move by outgoing Woman Member of Parliament Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi and her husband, Andrew Muhwezi, to fence off disputed market land.
Traders at Rushebeya Trading Centre say they were left in shock after reports that Andrew Muhwezi spent the Easter weekend moving from stall to stall, warning vendors and shopkeepers to vacate as the couple prepares to take possession of the land.
Many vendors, some of whom have operated at the market for years, say they were not given formal notice and are uncertain about where to relocate.
The development has reignited a long-running dispute over the ownership of the land, with unverified claims emerging that it may have been irregularly acquired and could involve collusion with local officials.
Some residents also allege that the land had previously been targeted for government compensation, noting that Hon. Kamusiime had raised the matter at public forums, including events attended by President Yoweri Museveni. However, these claims have not been independently confirmed.
The dispute dates back to 2015 when Rwamucucu Sub-county lost a civil case to businessman David Gakyaro over the illegal felling of trees. Following partial payment of court-awarded damages, Gakyaro reportedly obtained a court order attaching the market land after local authorities failed to contest the matter.
It is during this process that the land is said to have been transferred to private ownership, now linked to the Muhwezi family.
Efforts to assert control over the land have previously sparked resistance. In 2017, attempts to survey and fence the area triggered protests from residents, leading to clashes with individuals deployed to demarcate the land.
The matter was later raised before the Justice Bamugemereire Land Inquiry by former Rukiga MP Herbert Kabafunzaki, who called for investigations into the legality of the ownership. Residents say, however, that no conclusive action has been taken to resolve the dispute.
With fencing activities now reportedly underway, pressure is mounting on authorities, including the Ministry of Local Government, the Inspector General of Police, and the Inspector General of Government, to intervene and establish the legality of the land ownership while safeguarding the livelihoods of affected vendors.
By press time, individuals believed to be associated with the Muhwezi family were reportedly on site overseeing fencing works.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Hon. Kamusiime were unsuccessful as her known contacts were unavailable, while her husband did not respond to calls.
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