Museveni orders arrests in 640-Acre Kiboga land dispute, restores evicted resident
President Yoweri Museveni (in hat) interacts with some of the NRM leaders and military chiefs in Kiboga District on March 26, 2025. Photo/Courtesy
What you need to know:
- "As President, I don’t have the power to evict anyone. Even if someone is in the wrong, I must open a case against them. The Commissioner of Lands and the courts are the only entities that can cancel a title or order an eviction," President Museveni
President Museveni has directed the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) to arrest a group led by a one Patrick Ainebyona for unlawfully evicting a bonafide occupant from his land in Lwankonge Village, Kiboga East.
Ainebyona, whom SHACU confirmed is being pursued, allegedly acted on behalf of the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board to forcefully remove Mr Badiru Mwanje from land he has occupied for over 30 years, despite holding a Mailo title.
Museveni issued the directive after watching footage of the eviction during his Parish Development Model (PDM) tour in Masindi last week. He then tasked his police affairs advisor, Ms Susan Kasingye, to convene a meeting where he could personally intervene.
The land dispute explained
During the meeting held on March 26, Ms Kasingye and Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba presented their findings.
The 640-acre land in dispute has two registered titles:
A freehold title from 1932 under Chikamchadi Shaar Limited, an Asian firm. The land was reclaimed by the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board in 1992.
A Mailo title later issued to Mwanje, who has occupied the land for three decades.
"Your Excellency, this land is named Kisina Estate. We also have Block 502, Plot 2, which was in the name of Peresika Nakayenga in 1989 before Mwanje acquired it in 1999," Minister Nabakooba explained.
She added that Mwanje’s title appears in the system but lacks a clear link to the parcel of land, necessitating further verification.
Ainebyona’s Claims
Ms Kasingye reported that Ainebyona had presented a purported original title and taken the matter to police, who forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP recommended a boundary opening exercise to resolve the dispute.
However, before the exercise was completed, Ainebyona and his group evicted Mwanje.
"Brig. Lukyamuzi and his team then occupied the land, forcing Mwanje out," Kasingye added.
Museveni’s response
After hearing the evidence, President Museveni questioned Ainebyona’s actions, stating that land disputes should be decided by the courts, not individuals.
"Even if I had not issued a directive against illegal evictions in 2022, it is the court that determines land ownership. Those who wanted Mwanje evicted should have sought a legal ruling," he said.
He criticized Ainebyona’s actions as a usurpation of government authority.
"As President, I don’t have the power to evict anyone. Even if someone is in the wrong, I must open a case against them. The Commissioner of Lands and the courts are the only entities that can cancel a title or order an eviction," Museveni emphasized.
Presidential directives
The President ordered SHACU to take statements from all involved parties and directed: the arrest of Ainebyona and his group for trespassing and illegal eviction, the immediate restoration of Mwanje to his land until the legal process is concluded and the deployment of police to enforce law and order on the disputed land.
"I take the lead in instituting legal charges against these people. They must vacate the property, and Mwanje must return," he directed.
DPP and SHACU speak out
DPP Jane Frances Abodo stated that the dispute involves two plots (Plot 2 - freehold, Plot 6 - leasehold), and the Lands Ministry is still verifying the contested portion.
SHACU Head Brig. Henry Isoke confirmed that Ainebyona and his group face charges of forcible entry, criminal trespass, malicious damage, theft, and assault.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to resolve the land dispute legally.
