Fear and uncertainty have gripped residents of Maddu Subcounty in Gomba District after a series of nighttime arson attacks left several homes in ashes and dozens of families displaced.
The attacks, which occurred in Kaalusiina Village and neighbouring areas, have sparked outrage among locals who accuse the National Forestry Authority (NFA) of allegedly facilitating evictions and allocating their ancestral land to wealthy individuals.
Residents say unknown assailants stormed the area under the cover of darkness, setting houses and property ablaze. Among the victims is Francis Bwooya, the area NRM chairperson, who narrowly escaped death when his home was torched.
“We woke up to fire everywhere. I only managed to save my family — everything else was destroyed,” Bwooya said.
Villagers claim the attackers are acting on behalf of powerful individuals seeking to seize land located within a disputed forest reserve — land they insist has been occupied by their families for generations.
The fires destroyed homes, livestock, and food stores, leaving many residents destitute. At least eight houses were completely burnt, with several families losing all their belongings.
Many of the displaced have taken refuge at St. Emmanuel Kalusiina Primary School, appealing for emergency relief, security, and government intervention.
“We are living in fear. They burn our homes, cut down our trees, and even kill our animals. We have nowhere to go,” one displaced resident said.
The affected villages include Kaalusiina, Kamugole, Bujunjuzi, Kyebagamba, and Kigumba — areas that have long been at the centre of a dispute between local residents and the NFA.
Community members are now calling on President Museveni to personally intervene and halt what they describe as forced evictions disguised as environmental conservation.
“We were born here, our parents lived and died here. Now they want to chase us away. We shall not leave our land,” another resident vowed.
When contacted, NFA spokesperson Aldon Walukamba said the authority was aware of the reports but was still gathering information.
“We are following up on the matter and will issue a formal statement once investigations are complete,” Walukamba said.
By press time, police investigations were ongoing, while affected families remained camped at Kalusiina Primary School, seeking food, shelter, and protection.
The incident adds to a growing list of land conflicts and evictions across the country, many of which pit local communities against government agencies and private developers over access to land in protected areas.