Evicted Lusanja residents march to parliament

Lusanja evictees march to parliament to petition speaker Kadaga on Monday November 19, 2018. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

What you need to know:

  • Residents say Mr Bagalayaze had leased out the said to them before selling it to Mr Kiconco and they expected to be compensated which wasn’t done and instead were forcefully evicted.
  • By press time, the evictees in possession of tree branches and placards, in guidance of the Uganda police had reached reached to Katale Zone in Kyebando, a Kampala suburb.

More than 200 residents of Farm zone, Lusanja, Gayaza in Wakiso District on Monday marched to Parliament to petition speaker Rebecca Kadaga over demolition of their houses on orders of businessman Medard Kiconco.

The residents whose houses were demolished on October 12 by Mr Kiconco’s men guarded by police, say they are tired of sleeping under tents hence demanding for their houses back.

It is reported that Mr Kiconco, who owns a factory in the area bought the estimated nine acres of land, on which the evictees had stayed for about five years, from a one Namasole Bagalayaze.

Residents say Mr Bagalayaze had leased out the said to them before selling it to Mr Kiconco and they expected to be compensated which wasn’t done and instead were forcefully evicted.

By press time, the evictees in possession of tree branches and placards, in guidance of the Uganda police had reached reached to Katale Zone in Kyebando, a Kampala suburb.

One of the placards read: "President Museveni what did you decide about Lusanja, we too are Ugandans, we need justice, we want our houses".

Meanwhile at Katale zone, Police interfered with their procession claiming that they were walking in the middle of the road hence interrupting the traffic flow.

Police were forced to fire bullets in the air and teargas to disperse protestors after they failed to follow the guidelines given to them.

Mr Apollo Kantinti, the former Kyadondo MP who was among the protestors as a concerned citizen said he was going to do all he can to see that the people of Lusanja get the justice they deserve.

"This is no longer a small issue. When a host of over 500 people are affected in an eviction and no leader seems to be concerned, then it becomes an issue of national importance," he said.

"Let the President come out and help these very innocent Ugandans, and we hope the perpetrators can be brought to book," he added.