Land commission intervenes in 40-year land wrangle
The Commission of Inquiry into land matters chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire. It is alleged that Mr John Fred Kazibwe, the Mengo school head teacher, who is also a member of the club, is fronting different association names purporting to be under the foundation of the school to grab the land on Block 10 plot 50 in Senkatuuka Zone, Balintuma Road. FILE PHOTO
The Commission of Inquiry into land matters chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire has intervened in the land wrangle involving about 500 people (86 families) in Kashari North Constituency in Mbarara District.
The families in Ruhunga village, Kaguhanzya parish Rubaya Sub County are threatened with eviction by Mr David Bakirahakye’s family that claims 452 acres of the land they occupy. The land dispute has lasted 40 years.
The probe team led by Justice Bamugemereire visited the contested land yesterday (Thursday) and met the affected people at Kaguhanzya Church of Uganda.
The High Court in Mbarara presided over by Justice Duncan Gaswaga in November 2016 gave a judgment in favour of Mr Bakirahakye’s family.
The land occupants protested the judgment and went to the Court of Appeal which is yet to hear the case.
“The President appealed to the commission to visit the locus so as there is a solution to your issue,” Justice Bamugemereire told the residents. She further said the President is concerned because people have had the conflict for 40 years and they only received court judgment in 2016.
Justice Bamugemereire said despite the court judgment on the matter, people should not lose hope and think of killing each other. She said they need to cooperate with the commission to have the issue resolved.
“All I can say is that even if there is a court judgment and people feel that there is no hope, I can assure you there is hope. We need to work together to get a permanent solution in a short time and we need to work with both sides to solve the issue,” Justice Bamugemereire said.
The Commission will hear from the parties and other stakeholders starting Friday (today) at Igongo County Hotel in Biharwe Division.
The Commission also visited land (567 hectares) claimed by Christopher Kajundiira Family on one hand and Mr Isaac Ndahiro on the other in Kinono, Kayonza Parish Kikatsi Sub couty Nyabushozi Kiruhura District.
The disputed has lasted for over 30 years.
