Residents of Kakunyu in Wakiso District have regained access to their land following an intervention by State Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, who also brushed off alleged threats against his life linked to his efforts to defend vulnerable landowners.
Mayanja made the remarks while presiding over the restoration of bibanja (tenancy) land to residents who had reportedly been unlawfully evicted.
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to protecting ordinary Ugandans from land grabbers, despite intimidation.
“I cannot be intimidated by threats when I am standing for the truth and defending wananchi who have been unfairly deprived of their land,” Mayanja said.
He added that his role is to ensure justice prevails, particularly for bibanja holders who are often exploited due to limited knowledge of land laws.
“My duty is to ensure that those who have been oppressed regain what rightfully belongs to them,” he noted.
The Kakunyu residents expressed relief and gratitude following the minister’s intervention, saying they had lost hope after enduring forceful evictions. Some of them revealed that they had spent years battling powerful individuals who had taken over their land.
“We had been pushed off our land and didn’t know where to turn. The minister’s visit has given us a new beginning,” one resident said.
Local leaders in the area welcomed the move, calling for continued government support in resolving land disputes, which remain a major challenge in Wakiso District and across the country.
Mayanja used the occasion to warn individuals involved in illegal land evictions, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate acts of land grabbing. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report such cases to relevant authorities.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding land ownership in Uganda, where disputes between landlords, bibanja holders, and investors frequently arise, often leaving vulnerable communities at risk of displacement.
