Dead goats at farm of Ronald Wasswa a resident of Kiwambya village in Nakasongola.
Two pastoralists in Luwero and Nakasongola districts are counting heavy losses after armed men allegedly slaughtered hundreds of their livestock and stole others in separate incidents believed to be linked to ongoing land disputes.
The latest incident occurred in Namuningi Village, between Kamira Town Council and Kamira Sub-county in Luwero District, where at least eight head of cattle and 30 goats were killed after armed men attacked a farm belonging to Erasmus Kigaba.
Kigaba said he purchased the 590-acre piece of land from the Non-Performing Assets Recovery Trust in 2000. However, he claims that Muhammad Musanje later emerged, asserting ownership of the same land.
According to Kigaba, Musanje subsequently sold portions of the disputed land to several individuals, who have allegedly been orchestrating attempts to evict him from the property.
He further said the attackers first set ablaze a motorcycle belonging to his workers before raiding the farm, where they slaughtered the animals.
Police in Luwero District have launched a manhunt for those responsible for the attack.
The Luwero Resident District Commissioner, Mariam Nalubega, condemned the violence, warning that criminal acts committed under the guise of land disputes will not be tolerated.
”Anyone found engaging in criminal acts during land conflicts will be arrested and prosecuted,” Nalubega said.
In a separate incident in Nakasongola District, Ronald Wasswa, a resident of Kiwambya Village in Kalongo Sub-county, is also counting losses after suspected thugs allegedly killed 220 goats and stole 43 cows in what is believed to be another land-related attack.
Wasswa said the attackers also killed 20 ducks, 80 chickens, and 30 geese, before vandalizing a water pump valued at Shs8 million.
”In the attack, I lost over Shs185 million and I am now facing severe financial hardship,” Wasswa said.
Wasswa allege that the attack was intended to evict him from two square miles of land by a one Kafeero Majembere.
The Savannah Regional Police spokesperson, Sam Twiineamazima, confirmed that investigations into the incidents are ongoing. He warned that those found responsible will be arrested and arraigned in court.
Meanwhile, Festus Bandeeba the Nakasongola Resident District said police have deployed officers at the affected farm to prevent further attacks as the disputed land ownership awaits resolution through the courts.
The two incidents have heightened concerns over the growing violence associated with land disputes in the Greater Luwero area, where ownership conflicts are increasingly resulting in the destruction of property, loss of livestock, and threats to livelihoods.
Authorities have urged the affected parties to seek legal redress rather than resort to violence, as police continue with investigations and efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice while maintaining security at the disputed properties
