A growing land dispute in Bwenanule, Kasese District, has intensified after residents defied a request from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to submit proof of ownership for a contested piece of land meant for resettling flood victims.
The land, which was reportedly acquired by the government in 2023 for resettling those displaced by the 2020 floods, has become the subject of a legal battle.
A letter issued by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) asked residents with claims to the land to present supporting documents for verification in anticipation of a public meeting to resolve the dispute.
But the residents have pushed back strongly, citing ongoing court proceedings and warning that any extra-judicial action could compromise their legal case.
“We have consistently asked the Prime Minister’s office to bring forward the person who sold this land to the government, but they have not done so,” said Lawrence Bwambale, LC1 chairperson of Kinyabakazi Cell.
The community contends that the request for documentation is premature and potentially prejudicial, as the courts have yet to rule on the matter.
Several local leaders said submitting documents under the current circumstances could be interpreted as recognizing a process they believe is flawed.
“This matter should be left to the courts. Any move to collect documents at this stage is suspicious and unacceptable,” said Elly Asiimwe, LC2 Chairperson of Bwenanule Ward.
Tensions have been building in the area since the land’s acquisition, with residents claiming they were never properly consulted or compensated.
The government insists the land was bought to support vulnerable families displaced during the floods, but lingering questions over the legitimacy of the transaction have fueled mistrust.
Residents have now threatened to stage a sit-in at the RDC’s office in Kasese Municipality if the OPM does not halt further administrative steps pending the court’s decision.
The dispute has significantly stalled efforts to resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs), with some families remaining in temporary shelters five years after the disaster.
As the standoff continues, local leaders and civil society actors are urging the government to respect judicial processes and avoid escalating tensions.
“We want justice, not shortcuts. Let the courts decide,” said one resident who declined to be named for fear of reprisals.
The outcome of the court case could have far-reaching implications for land governance in Kasese and the broader efforts to rehabilitate communities affected by climate-related disasters.