Entebbe RDC, DPC accused of fueling land wrangles
The Deputy Entebbe Resident District Commissioner(D/RDC), Hakim Kirigwa together with the District Police Commander (DPC), Senior Superintendent of Police Steven Twinomugisha have been accused of illegally conducting arrests on construction workers over the controversial piece of land in Entebbe.
Over 15 people were arrested and detained last month at Entebbe police station and later released without any charges placed against them over land wrangles.
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During the arrest, workers were found on the construction site on land which was demolished to redevelop it after the alleged owners had acquired the demolition permit from the Entebbe Municipal Council with approved plans to develop the area.
The land which is believed to be owned by the late Ssebuliba family was later legally sold to a businessman known as Vicent Kiwanuka.
Background
According to the Ssebuliba family, a man known as George William Walusimbi (deceased), between 1979-1980 migrated to the current Kitooro central and was temporarily welcomed by one Livingstone Ssebuliba who was by then a chairman of the area.
He then started to rent one of his rooms where he stayed working as a butcher.
Later, Ssebuliba continued living with Walusimbi until he died.
After Ssebuliba’s death, Walusimbi started dodging monthly rent fees which was supposed to be paying for where he stayed with his family, rooms for Ssebuliba.
Edward Nsereko, Ssebuliba’s son said, “after our dad died, whenever we reached Walusimbi to pay rent, he would just turn rude against us until he also died.”
Later, the children of the late Walusimbi claimed that the land where their father was staying was theirs before they dragged the family of Ssebuliba to court.
Consequently, three cases between the two families had been dismissed in favor of Late Ssebuliba’s family.
Court order
In a dismissal order letter dated April, 22, 2024, the land division of the High Court in Kampala under the miscellaneous application number 334 of 2023 arising from miscellaneous applications.no.1208 of 2022 arising from civil suit.no.996 of 2028 before Justice Nassuna Flavia Matovu, the court dismissed the application and the applicants' family was ordered to pay costs to the respondents Ssebuliba’s family.
The disputed land is located at block 20 Fulu road near Kitooro central market in Division B, Entebbe Municipality.
However, members of the Ssebuliba family still accuse Police of conniving with Walusimbi's family to frustrate workers and desist any developments on the land.
The LC1 chairperson for Kitooro Central Entebbe Municipality, Betty Nkata Kagwa in an interview with Nile Post said the late Walusimbi used to claim that he was adopted as a family member while he had joined them stay with Ssebuliba but eventually, a meeting was then held at Entebbe Police station in 1990’s and Walusimbi accepted not to hold any piece of land in Kitooro.
She also requested the developer to harmonize with family of Walusimbi .
“If possible, to compensate the family with them some costs to look for a new home.”
However, when this website tried to reach out to Walusimbi's family, a son, one, Simon Lubwama said he didnt have anything to say.
Demolition letter
Dated July, 4, 2024, a demolition permit letter from the office of the Town Clerk, Entebbe Municipality addressed to the businessman Vicent Kiwanuka stated that, “the permission is hereby granted under the following conditions. a) the site shall be fully hoarded off, on all sides to protect the general public from danger arising out of demolition. b) Demolition is to be done carefully to avoid damages to the neighboring properties and public utilities.”
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Oweyesigire, Police in Entebbe responded to an outcry from some of the residents that there was a demolition exercise that was taking place in the area that led to the arrest of some people including the impounding of tractors that were being used to demolish the old building.
“The developer, notified Police and claimed he had the demolition permit from the municipal council despite the court’s ruling but we also questioned his other procedures including notifying the top security operatives but still advised him to hold on as we investigate the matter” Owoyesigyire said.