Residents of Kasokoso village were left frustrated on Tuesday after police allegedly blocked them from accessing their land, barely a day after President Museveni directed them to return to their plots and resume development.
The contested land, located in Kiganda–Kireka D village, is the same area where police earlier demolished residents’ houses, leaving dozens of families displaced. Although the President issued clear instructions on Monday evening allowing residents to reclaim their land, a heavy police presence on the ground appeared to contradict the directive.
When this reporter visited the area, several police patrol vehicles and officers from Kira Police Division were stationed throughout the village. Residents were prevented from re-entering their plots or even marking boundaries where their homes once stood.
Ssalongo Henry Magoola, the Defence Secretary for Kireka D, welcomed President Museveni’s intervention, describing it as a relief to affected residents.
“We thank the President for listening to us and giving us back our land,” Magoola said.
However, he expressed disappointment with the conduct of the police, accusing them of disregarding both residents’ documentation and the President’s directive.
“Police has stopped us from doing anything on our land. Even after presenting all the required documents and informing them that we are awaiting a meeting at the IGP’s office, they still refused to let us access our plots,” he added.
Other residents recounted the hardship they have endured since their homes were demolished, saying many are now homeless and struggling to secure shelter.
“We have nowhere to stay after our houses were demolished. We are appealing to the authorities to come to our rescue,” one resident said.
The situation has raised concerns among residents about an apparent disconnect between the President’s directive and the actions of law enforcement officers on the ground.
“How can the police go against the President’s order issued just yesterday evening in Kasokoso?” another resident asked.
By press time, efforts to obtain a comment from Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala were unsuccessful, as repeated phone calls went unanswered.
Residents are now calling on top police leadership and relevant government authorities to urgently clarify the matter and ensure full implementation of the President’s directive, as families continue to endure uncertainty and displacement.