By Our Reporter
More than 2,000 people in three villages of Muiyibwe, Lugala and Buyoba in Buikwe district, mostly fishermen and landowners, have rejected a proposal by an unidentified investor to bring fishing cages to their Muiyibwe landing site.
The residents who are living in fear over looming eviction due to land disputes between two rival landlords, Kiziba Estate and Sir Henry Morgan & Associates Ltd, said they would not allow anything to proceed on the land until the court decides who the real owner is.
Kiziba Estates Ltd and officials from Sir Henry Morgan Associates, since 2023, have been locked in a protracted court battle over the said land located on Block 491 Plot 2 in Buikwe district.
This protracted battle, residents say has directly affected them after a group of people they described as “goons” have reportedly on several occasion attacked them, razing their gardens, beating them, blocking the road and causing other insecurities.
The Chairperson of Lugala Village, Mr Emmanuel Obire convened a village meeting at Muiyibwe landing site where the residents vowed never to allow the project whose motive they say is unknown,
Mr Obire told residents this week that a group of people claiming to be investors visited his office last week saying that they intend to establish fishing cages on the lake which they protested.
Mr Hakim Rugumayo, one of the Bibanja holders, said that the battle for the land ownership between the two fighting entities has caused massive loss to him.
“I own 180 acres on Kibanja arrangement but my workers were beaten on several occasions, my gardens razed and property destroyed. And I am not alone, why would we be suffering like this,” he said.
He added: “We shall not allow anyone to establish a fish cage here because we are not sure of the intention of the so-called investor whom we don’t know. When they came here, they appeared with the army officers to intimidate the residents without clear identification,” he said.
During the meeting, the village Chairman asked for an immediate hearing of the case because the goons are bringing insecurity to the village.
Mr Erasmus Sserwada Lubowa, the Director of Kiziba Estates Ltd implored the residents to be firm on the ground and never to allow intruders who come on their land illegally.
Residents protested to their Chairperson, accusing officials from Sir Henry Morgan & Associates Ltd of planting goons on the land who are terrorising them.
“We are scared that these goons will one day kill someone or find angry residents who may harm them…We as residents are ready to work with the actual owner of the land as long as the court decides but for now we see two parties fighting yet it’s us who are affected,” they said.
In response however, officials from Sir Henry Morgan & Associates Ltd denied claims that they planted goons on the land terrorising residents.
Mr Richard Ssekungu, the caretaker of Sir Henry Morgan & Associates Ltd said: “…We have never planted goons on the land but those people are just creating stories to gain public sympathy.”
He added: “Whatever they said is simply tricks to get public sympathy but the truth is that we bought that land from NPART [ Non-performing Assets Recovery Trust] after those people who call us land grabbers took a loan from the Uganda Commercial Bank and failed to pay….when we saw an advert in newspaper,we responded and bought it so whatever they are saying are lies but details shall be found in our evidence we shall present in court.”
The whole trouble started in 1992 when the management of Kiziba Estates got a loan of Shs12 million and another tractor worth £15,000 from the defunct Uganda Commercial Bank.
After several instalments they failed and were left with Shs7.5m causing the bank whose assets are now managed by the Non-performing Assets Recovery Trust to foreclose on the tractor and sell it in February 1998 to Anthony Uzzi.
The Non-performing Assets Recovery Trust subsequently recorded the loans and granted the property with permission but did not return the title to the owners who later applied for a separate title.
Kiziba Estate lawyer Roland Odinga assured the public that the case is pending in court and the hearing will begin.
