Soldier cocks gun, blocks Bamugemereire from accessing disputed land

The commission of inquiry into land matters yesterday clashed with a UPDF officer after he threatened to shoot them if they set foot on a disputed piece of land in Mutungo, a Kampala suburb.

Catherine Bamugemereire, the commission chair looked perplexed after Julius Katuliba, the officer, cocked his gun and insisted that the officials would not inspect the land.

In the ensuing exchange Bamugemereire threatened to call the Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi to discipline the soldier.

The land in question is being contested over by the families of the late Kabaka Mutesa II, Ben Kiwanuka and Dr Muhammed Kasasa.

“Do not cross the line,” Katuliba warned but Bamugemereire and her team were having none of it.

“What is your name, number and rank?”Bamugemereire retorted impatiently. “I am going to call the Chief of Defense forces to explain your behaviour. ”

Earlier, the commission had talked to the residents of Mutungo who accused Kasasa of using UPDF officers to grab their land.

“Kasasa is using UPDF officers to grab our land. We are being threatened,” one of them said.

The land in question sits on 639 acres and hosts over 10,000 residents, who say that their land was fraudulently acquired by Kasasa.

According to the residents, the land belongs to Kabaka Mutesa II.

Ronald Balimwezo, the Nakawa division chairperson said Kasasa came to him requesting that he talks to the locals about the land so that they can reach an agreement.

“When I told him that there was need to do due diligence so that we could establish the land owner, he got mad and dragged me to court,” Balimwezo said.

Residents provided the commission with documents to help in the investigations asking it to do all it can to save them from the tycoons that grab their land.

“We are glad that the commission is here. We want you to save us from these tycoons that have continued to steal our land” a one Nsubuga said.

Bamugemereire assured the residents that they shall do all the necessary investigations and get to the bottom of the matter.