200 people evicted from Mukono land

A man carries a pig during the eviction. All photos by Jessica Sabano

Dozens of people have been evicted from their homes in Kirangira- Lwanyonyi Village, in Mukono District by court brokers.

Police officers led by acting Mukono District Police Commander, Mr Henry Abaho, witnessed the eviction after Mr Dick Banoba secured an eviction order from Mukono Chief Magistrates Court.

Mr Banoba said he bought the land in 1971 from Dr Emmanuel Lumu and registered it in 1973.

Mr Banoba said he has been battling in court with a group of squatters for over 30 years.

He said by the time he bought the land, about 30 residents lived on it.

However, he said, some of them have been selling plots to other people.

 "I have been discussing with 22 residents who lived on the land. A few accepted to vacate after compensation while others refused,” he said.

The local council chairman, Mr Deo Golooba, however, said residents were not notified and most of them were away from by the time the brokers descended on their homes.

“I was shocked to see men armed with sticks, axes and other weapons knocking doors and windows from people’s houses,” he said.

He said the 200-acre piece of land has been occupied by over 500 people.