Minister orders Hoima security to arrest land grabbers

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has taken a strong stance against land grabbing in Hoima District, directing the Resident District Commissioner and security team to arrest individuals involved in illegal land evictions.

This move comes after a surge in complaints from local leaders and residents about rising cases of land grabbing, particularly in sub-counties like Kisukuma, Kapaapi, and Kabaale.

"I direct the Hoima Resident District Commissioner and the entire security team to arrest suspected land grabbers in the district. No one should be evicted from their land illegally," Dr Baryomunsi emphasised during the belated NRM Liberation Day celebrations in Hoima District. "We will not tolerate any form of land grabbing in this district. The rights of our people to their land will be protected."

The issue of land grabbing has been exacerbated by the discovery of oil and gas in the region, with many residents living in fear of eviction. In February 2023, the Lands Minister, Ms Judith Nabakooba, halted the eviction of over 500 people from the Kapapi and Kiganja sub-counties, highlighting the urgency of the problem.

Local leaders, including Hoima District NRM Vice Chairperson, Mr Vincent Muhumuza, and Bugahya County Member of Parliament, Pius Wakabi, have attributed the problem to powerful individuals with connections in Kampala.

"Our biggest challenge as a district is land grabbing, which is being orchestrated by powerful individuals, especially those with connections in Kampala," they stated.

The Hoima Woman Member of Parliament, Harriet Businge Mugenyi, noted that many residents have been displaced due to land conflicts linked to the discovery of oil and gas in the Albertine Graben.

"A significant number of people from different sub-counties have been displaced due to land grabbing following the discovery of oil and gas in the Albertine Graben," Businge said. "This has led to a lot of suffering among our people, and we need urgent action to address this problem."

The Hoima District Chairperson, Uthuman Mugisa, also expressed concern about the impact of land grabbing on the local community. "Land grabbing is not only a problem for the individuals affected, but it also has a broader impact on the community as a whole," Mugisa said. "We need to find a lasting solution to this problem, and we need to do it quickly."