Entebbe RDC, Police under spotlight over handling of disputed land case

By Our Reporter

Entebbe deputy resident district commissioner (RDC) Hakim Kirigwa and the District Police Commander (DPC), Steven Twinomugisha, are under the spotlight for arresting construction workers over a disputed piece of land in Entebbe.

Several people were arrested and detained last month (July) at Entebbe Police Station and later released without any charges placed against them.

The arrests were made on the disputed land in Kitooro, Entebbe Municipality where construction works had commenced after the old structure was demolished.

It’s believed that the land which was originally owned by the family of the late Livingstone Ssebuliba had been legally sold to Vincent Kiwanuka, a businessman in Entebbe.

Kiwanuka had been permitted to demolish the old structure to commence construction.

“The permission is hereby granted under the following conditions. a) the site shall be fully hoarded off on all sides to protect the general public from danger arising out of demolition. b) Demolition is to be done carefully to avoid damages to the neighbouring properties and public utilities,” read the demolition permit from the office of the Town Clerk.

According to Luke Owoyesigire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, the Police in Entebbe made the arrests as a response to an outcry from some of the residents that there was a demolition exercise taking place in the area.

He said apart from arresting some people, they also impounded tractors that were being used to demolish the old building.

BACKGROUND

According to the Ssebuliba family, a man named George William Walusimbi (deceased) migrated to the current Kitooro Central between 1979-1980 and was temporarily welcomed by Ssebuliba, who was the then chairperson of the area.

Walusimbi rented one of Ssebuliba’s rooms with his family while he worked as a butcher in the area. After Ssebuliba’s death, the family alleges that Walusimbi started dodging payment of his rent.

“After our dad died, whenever we reached out to Walusimbi to pay rent, he would just turn rude against us until he also died,” Edward Nsereko, Ssebuliba’s son, said.

Later, the children of the Walusimbi claimed that the land where their father was staying was theirs before they dragged the family of Ssebuliba to court. However, the court cases were dismissed, and the Walusimbi family was ordered to pay costs.

The disputed land is located at block 20 Fulu Road near Kitooro Central Market in Division B, Entebbe Municipality.

However, members of the Ssebuliba family still accuse the Police of conniving with the Walusimbi family to frustrate workers and desist any developments on the land.

Efforts to get a comment from Simon Lubwama, Walusimbi’s son, were futile.