Bobi Wine condemns demolition of low-income homes in Nansana-Lubigi

The affected families claim that Buganda Kingdom officials misled them into occupying Lubigi, a gazetted wetland. They also claimed that the same officials have been collecting annual ground rent, known as busuulu, from residents.

The Leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine has expressed his shock and concern over the recent demolition of homes in the Nansana-Lubigi area.

The demolitions, reportedly leaving over 1,000 people homeless, were carried out under the pretext of clearing illegal structures built in a wetland.

Kyagulanyi criticized the government’s abrupt actions, noting that many affected residents had lived on the land for decades.

"Many of the 1,000+ victims now left homeless had stayed on that land for decades, right under the nose of the regime until it just abruptly woke up and razed their homes without warning," Kyagulanyi said.

While acknowledging the importance of environmental protection, particularly in the context of global warming, Kyagulanyi accused the government of discriminatory enforcement.

He argued that the regime targets the homes of the poor for demolition while allowing the wealthy and regime supporters to construct infrastructure in the same wetland areas without repercussion.

"There are several hotels, factories, and homes constructed in wetlands such as the one along Yusuf Lule Road, Busega, Namanve, and elsewhere," Kyagulanyi noted.

He pointed out that even within Nansana, petrol stations built in the wetland with government approval were not demolished, unlike the surrounding homes.

Kyagulanyi highlighted these contradictions as evidence of unequal treatment under the law, urging citizens to strive for a fairer country.

"These glaring contradictions in how the regime handles the poor, on one hand, and the rich, on the other hand, should jolt all of us into action to work harder for a country that will truly guarantee equal rights and treatment for all under the law," he stated.

Families whose houses were recently demolished by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Ganda-Nasere Village, Wakiso Sub-county, Wakiso District, have asked the Buganda Kingdom for compensation.

The affected families claim that Buganda Kingdom officials misled them into occupying Lubigi, a gazetted wetland. They also claimed that the same officials have been collecting annual ground rent, known as busuulu, from residents.

According to Simon Nyanzi, a resident of Ganda-Nasera Village and a leader of the evictees, they will not relent until they get justice. Buganda Land Board (BLB) is the business arm of Buganda Kingdom, managing the kingdom's properties.

Lubigi wetland is one of the marshlands that have been encroached upon in the Wakiso and Mpigi districts.

Section 36 of the National Environment Act provides for restricted use of wetlands. In 2017, NEMA warned that should Lubigi dry up, the entire Central Cattle Corridor, which includes Luweero, Nakasongola, and Nakaseke, among other districts, will grapple with water shortages.

NEMA’s crackdown on wetland encroachers in different parts of the Kampala Metropolitan area is ongoing, with officials urging encroachers to vacate.