Land Grabbers Fly Drones and Use GPS Devices in Kikuube
Led by Buhaguzi East Member of Parliament Stephen Asera, they are urging the government to expedite the process of issuing the 22,000 land titles promised to local people at a subsidised cost.
Residents and leaders in the sub-counties of Buhimba and Bugambe have expressed concern over unknown individuals flying drones and using GPS devices on people’s land, raising suspicions of potential land grabbing.
Led by Buhaguzi East Member of Parliament Stephen Asera, they are urging the government to expedite the process of issuing the 22,000 land titles promised to local people at a subsidised cost.
They warn that continued delays will allow unscrupulous individuals to exploit the situation.
Francis Kisoro Nyaika, the local council chairperson for Kazinga Kaina in Buhimba sub-county, reported that unfamiliar individuals have been spotted in the area operating drone cameras and GPS machines.
He fears these could be land grabbers.
“Since Kikuube discovered oil and gas, the threat to land has increased. For instance, in my village, residents are living in fear because strangers are flying drone cameras and using machines that we believe are GPS. We wonder what their intentions are—this must be linked to land grabbing,” Nyaika said.
Robert Muhumuza Mpanimanya, the Buhimba town council mayor, echoed these concerns and called for government intervention. He noted that some residents are losing sleep over the situation.
“We have seen numerous evictions in Kikuube and other parts of Bunyoro. When unfamiliar individuals arrive with drones and do not communicate with local leaders, it understandably worries our people," Mpanimanya said.
"I urge the Ministry of Lands and the government to deliver on the promise of 22,000 land titles for our local communities at a subsidised cost. The longer the delay, the more opportunities there are for bad actors to manipulate the system, as has happened in the past.”
MP Stephen Asera has called on the public to remain vigilant and take action against individuals flying drones.
“I have received reports of people driving along roads while drones are in the air, without explaining their presence to locals or leaders," Asera said.
"We cannot sit idly by. I urge residents to confront these individuals and demand explanations or take them to the police to clarify their intentions regarding our land. We have frequently seen land being taken under such circumstances."
Asera also reiterated the need for the Ministry of Lands to expedite the processing of land titles.