Sembabule: Kayihura reinstates evicted families on disputed land

News

The Inspector General of Police, Edward Kale Kayihura has reinstated 100 families in Sembabule district that were evicted from their land.

Keep Reading

In December last year, heavily armed police officers raided Kasunga village in Lwemiyaga Sub County and Sembabule and forcefully evicted 100 families.

The disputed one square mile piece of land is under contention between the families and businessman, Geoffrey Makumbi. The businessman claims that he secured court orders to evict the pastoral families for illegally settling on his land.

Eighteen-year-old George Tarinyebwa was shot dead during the eviction. His father, Benon Tuhureirwe and his relative identified as George Byesanuka sustained injuries that left them hospitalized.

The officers set ablaze 15 houses leaving the affected families with nowhere to call home.

Since their eviction, the families have been sleeping in a restricted area like refugees.

They also refused to sleep inside three huge tarpaulins donated by Kayihura for fear of fresh attacks.

After spending almost a month in the open, the evicted families say Kayihura has directed them to return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

Henry Baguma, the Sembabule Resident District Commissioner, said police erroneously executed the eviction order.

Sam Nabaasa, one of the affected people said they hoped court expedited the review of the matter. He said the delayed conclusion of the matter was responsible for their suffering.