Chaos in Iganga as police evict people from judge’s land

Iganga- Chaos engulfed Bulubandi village, near Iganga town as police and court bailiffs battled residents who were resisting being evicted from a disputed piece of land on which they have lived for more than five years.

About fourteen families have been occupying the land they claim to have bought from a one Ali Lukungu. The land which is located on Saza Road measures about a quarter of an acre.

However, tensions started mounting on Tuesday last week when the occupants received an eviction notice from Iganga police asking them to vacate the land within three days because it belonged to Justice Steven Musota.

The news caused unrest among the affected residents who protested by drumming and lighting bonfires in their compounds.

One of the residents Mr Mawazi Tiwanje told Daily Montor that tried to seek a court injunction but failed.

“We all bought plots from Lukungu in the presence of LC I officials who wrote the sale agreements. We constructed houses on the land not knowing about the wrangle,”Mr Tiwanje said.

Another resident Mr Wambi Mufumba said he bought his plot in 2002 without receiving any warning that the land was disputed.

 “Where do they want us to go and who will compensate us? I bought this land genuinely and I have all the documents confirming rightful ownership,” he said.

Police say Justice Musota has for years been wrangling with Mr  Lukungu over the ownership of the land. Justice Musota recently secured a court order to evict people from the land after protracted court battles.

When court bailiffs and police officers went to evict occupants, they met resistance.

In the ensuing chaos, police fired live bullets and tear gas to effect the eviction.

Mr Sadam Waiswa and Mr Henry Musana, who led the resistance, were arrested as houses and crops like maize and bananas were being razed.

As police battled the protestors, teargas spread to the neigbouring Iganga Parents School affecting students.

More than 40 students fainted after inhaling tear gas and were rushed to hospital to receive treatment.

The school head teacher Mr Asuman Mpata said some of the affected students were senior four candidates who were preparing for a physics paper later in the day.

Iganga District Police Commander Mr Nasibu Ndita said they arrested Mr Lukungu who allegedly sold the land to the occupants.