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Kayunga Authorities Urge Butalabuna Eviction Victims to Seek Court Redress

More than 21 families allegedly evicted from disputed land in Butalabuna, Kayonza Sub-county, have been advised to seek legal redress as district authorities move to resolve one of Kayunga's most contentious land…

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Authorities in Kayunga District have advised more than 21 families who were allegedly evicted from the disputed Butalabuna land in Kayonza Sub-county to seek legal redress against Penina Awori, whom residents accuse of orchestrating the evictions.

The guidance followed a joint meeting involving officials from the Resident District Commissioner's (RDC) office, the Uganda Police Force, district leaders and Bbaale County Member of Parliament Charles Tebandeke after tensions escalated over the ownership of the contested land.

The meeting was convened in response to complaints from residents who alleged that their homes, crops and other property were destroyed during an eviction exercise they claim was masterminded by Awori in an attempt to force them off the land without compensation or resettlement.

The affected families allege that food crops, coffee plantations and houses were destroyed by a group of men reportedly hired to carry out the operation.

They also accused some police officers of providing security during the eviction instead of protecting the affected residents, forcing many families to flee for safety.

"We have nowhere to go. Our houses were destroyed, our crops were cut down and our children have been left suffering. We appeal to the government to ensure justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable," one resident said.

Another resident alleged that the operation was carried out under police protection.

"We were shocked to see people destroying our property under police protection. We have lived on this land for years and deserve to be heard before anyone can evict us," the resident said.

Following the incident, the affected families sought the intervention of their area Member of Parliament, Charles Tebandeke, who visited the disputed land, assessed the reported destruction and later engaged district security leaders in search of a lasting solution.

During a closed-door meeting, district authorities resolved that the dispute should be handled through the courts to determine the rightful ownership of the land and establish whether the evictions were conducted lawfully.



Tebandeke urged the affected families to remain calm and pursue justice through the legal process rather than resorting to retaliation.

"The law provides avenues for resolving land disputes. I urge the affected residents to seek legal redress so that the courts can establish the truth and protect the rights of all parties involved," Tebandeke said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to monitoring the matter and ensuring that the affected families receive a fair hearing, stressing that no Ugandan should be evicted without due process of the law.

Officials from the RDC's office also called on all parties to respect the rule of law and allow investigations into the allegations to proceed without interference.

They warned against further destruction of property or actions that could escalate tensions, cautioning that anyone found taking the law into their own hands would face legal consequences.

Land disputes remain among the leading causes of conflict in many parts of Uganda, often arising from competing ownership claims, inheritance disagreements and contested land titles.

The Butalabuna dispute has become one of the most contentious in Kayunga District, with the affected families insisting they have occupied the land for years and are seeking justice, protection and a lasting resolution.

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