Residents of Kiyuuni in Gayaza Sub-county, Kyankwanzi District have been resettled back onto their land following government compensation to the landlord, the Resident District Commissioner has confirmed.
The RDC, Sharon Ankunda, said the residents were allowed to return after the government fully compensated the landowner, Ms Patience Alinda Nyakairima, widow of the late General Aronda Nyakairima, with Shs11 billion.
“Government has fulfilled its obligation by compensating the landlord, and we have now allowed residents to return and peacefully occupy the land,” Ankunda said.
She added that processes to issue land titles to the resettled residents have already begun, with allocations expected to be based on the portion of land each household occupies.
“We are working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that every rightful occupant receives a land title according to the portion they are using,” she said.
The affected communities come from seven villages, including Kyerere East, Kiyuuni, Birama, Kyakibenje, Butikiro, Dagaza, and Kiyuuni Central, covering an estimated three square miles.
Some residents welcomed the development, saying it brought relief after years of displacement.
“We suffered for years after being evicted, but we thank the government for finally resolving this matter and allowing us back to our land,” one resident said.
The resettlement follows a controversial eviction carried out between February 28 and March 3, 2022, when the landlord, with support from armed UPDF soldiers, used heavy machinery including graders, excavators, and tractors to clear the land.
While homes were left standing, large portions of land were leveled.
Some residents said they had lived on the land since as early as 1964 before being evicted on claims of illegal occupation.
“We had nowhere to go after the eviction. Some of us were born and raised here, so returning gives us hope for a better future,” another resident said.
Authorities say the issuance of land titles is expected to formalise ownership and help prevent future disputes in the area.
