The State Minister for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja, intervened in a long-running land dispute in Luwero District, ordering the arrest of a controversial land broker and the reinstatement of elderly occupants who had been forcefully evicted from their ancestral land.
The dispute involves 22 acres of land located in Janda Village, Ziroobwe Sub-county, which is claimed by the children and grandchildren of the late Yosam Serwanga, a family said to include children of former fighters who supported President Yoweri Museveni during the liberation struggle.
Tension flared during the minister’s visit when angry residents attempted to storm the home of the accused land broker, Ahmed Ali Ssentongo, popularly known as Chemical Ali. Police fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd and prevent further violence.
The family accuses Ssentongo of fraudulently acquiring a land title after being entrusted to help them process ownership documents.
“We asked him as a family to help us get a title for our land,” said Joyce Nambooze, who spoke on behalf of the family. “He processed it, but later we discovered that the title had been secretly transferred into the names of Kazinda Investments without our consent.”
According to the family, the land is registered under Block 56, Plot 43. They insist their grandfather legally purchased the land in 1966 from the late Mpanga Walusimbi.
Their 101-year-old grandfather, Busuulwa Emanuel, was brought to the meeting in a wheelchair and emotionally addressed the gathering.
“I tried to follow up on how our title was changed,” Busuulwa said. “But records at Bukalasa do not show any lawful transfer. What was done to us was unfair.”
Family members also accused police in Ziroobwe and Luwero of siding with the land broker.
“Whenever we go to police to report, we are the ones arrested,” said Steven Musoke, another family member. “But when we open cases against Ssentongo, nothing is done. That is where all our problems come from.”
Musoke added that the family now places its hope in the Lands Minister, saying police actions were “damaging the image of the NRM government.”
Former associate of Ssentongo, Ibrahim Serwanja, told the minister that the land broker was involved in widespread illegal dealings.
“Ssentongo has stamps which he uses to interfere with people’s land titles,” Serwanja alleged. “He does this while working with some police officers.”
Addressing residents amid heavy security, Dr. Mayanja issued decisive orders.
“All property found on this land must be returned to the rightful family,” Mayanja said. “Police must immediately arrest Ahmed Ali Ssentongo and charge him with criminal trespass and fraudulent interference with land titles.”
The minister also ordered that all elderly people who had been evicted be reinstated on the land and warned against any future evictions.
“No one should ever remove these elders from this land again,” he directed.
Luwero Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Sula Kulubye told the minister that many land conflicts in the district stem from unresolved family disagreements, while former Bunyoro RDC Amran Tumusiime said efforts would be made to harmonise the dispute. He also urged residents to continue supporting President Museveni.
However, when contacted by phone, Ssentongo denied the accusations.
“The land being talked about is mine,” Ssentongo said. “I legally bought it.”
As the minister departed, chaos erupted again when residents chased away youths allegedly hired to guard the contested land. Several arrests were made during the scuffle, forcing police to fire shots in the air to calm the situation.
