Minister Mayanja orders arrest of eight accused of land grabbing in Entebbe

State Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, has ordered the arrest of over eight people in connection with land grabbing in Bulega Nalugala, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District.

The minister made the directive during his visit to Katabi to intervene in land matters between the families of the late Professor Ssenteza Kajubi and Suzan Nantege.

The disputed land, spanning eight acres, has been a subject of controversy for along period.

Recently, a forest that had existed for over 30 years was destroyed by unknown individuals due to land disputes.

Upon his arrival, the minister was accompanied by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Wakiso District, the Deputy RDC of Entebbe, statehouse officials, and other local leaders.

During his visit, the Minister first investigated the matter by questioning both families before directing the police from Entebbe to arrest one of the lead complainants, Suzan Nantege  alongside her family members.

They were arrested for defying court orders and failing to provide proof of land ownership in an attempt to grab the land.

"This lady is being used by mafia to steal the land. She worked contrary to court orders, which provided for the stopping of all activities on the land, but she continued, setting up a building and even cutting down the tropical forest planted by the late Prof Ssenteza Kajubi."

"As per President Museveni's directives, if a court order is issued, the district security committee, led by the RDC, should first evaluate it, then send it to the line minister before its execution. However, this case was not reported anywhere. How can you just come onto disputed land and develop it, claiming you have a court order?"

The minister later instructed the family of the late Prof Ssenteza to occupy the land, with protection provided by the Entebbe police.

According to Waswa Kajubi, son of the late Prof Ssenteza, his father bought the land in 1995 from Samuel Kajoba and all bibanja holders including the family of Nantege.

Later, stone quarriers operated on the land and decided to restore it with an artificial tropical forest.

However, Nantege and her family members reported to the local council III at Katabi, claiming that Late Prof.Ssenteza had occupied her land ,which ruled that Nantege owned the Kibanja on the eight acres of land.

The family of the late Prof Ssenteza appealed to the Chief Magistrates Court in Entebbe last year, which directed the two families to maintain peace over the land and stop all activities until the matter is fully resolved.

However, Nantege accuses the family of the late Prof Ssenteza of never buying the disputed land.

“Mr Kajubi has been threatening me over this land, claiming he paid for it, but I have never received any payment from him," Nantege responded to the Minister.

Members of Nantege family are still held in custody at Entebbe Police station pending to be charged in the courts of law.