Justice Bamugemereire directs DPC to protect land probe witnesses from harassment

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire heading the commission of inquiry into land matters has directed the District Police Commander of Kyenjojo, Mr James Kawalya to protect witnesses testifying before the commission from harassment and intimidation by the accused.

Several people from Kyenjojo District have testified against Mr Vincent Mugisha, a businessman in Kyenjojo and his agents for allegedly intimidating them.

Bamugemereire’s remarks were in response to Mr Ronald Musabe who after his testimony against Mugisha asked for state protection.

"My Lord, I fear for my life after giving my testimony against Mugisha. I have spoken many things that Mugisha didn't expect me to say and since he has harassed many people stronger than me, who am I," Musabe said.

"Please DPC ensure no body or witness is harassed by Mugisha in Kyenjojo. People must feel secure to inform police" Bamugemereire said.

The commission of inquiry resumed public hearings in Rwenzori Sub-region from Mountains of the moon hotel in Fort Portal since Monday.

It will hear issues in Kabarole and Kyenjojo districts up to Friday and resume on Monday to handle Kasese issues.

The probe has also asked Kyenjojo district police commander not to allow any trespass cases reported by Mugisha or his wife Miriam Kesiime until the matter of ownership is heard and disposed of.

The commission found that there are more than 21 cases of trespass reported by Mugisha on the contested land at Ganyinayayo in Matiri in Kyenjojo.

But, the DPC Kawalya told the commissioners that "Police too is oppressed by Mugisha".

Kawalya said Mugisha and his armed agents in 2013 disarmed two police men at Matiri and kept the guns in his store for two days.

The commission has also established that many big shots across the country have grabbed locals’ land by using police.