Construction of IFAD-funded silverfish dryer in Masaka stalls as Gen. Kayanja and NFA clash over land
MASAKA, February 14, 2025 – The construction of a solar-powered fish dryer for silverfish funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development [IFAD] at Dimu landing site in Masaka district has been halted due to a land dispute between Maj. Gen. Elly Kayanja and the National Forestry Authority [NFA].
Retired Maj. Gen. Kayanja claims to have acquired a 49-year leasehold land title for Plot 24, Block 783, covering 28.33 hectares adjacent to Lake Victoria. However, the NFA asserts that the contested piece of land is part of Mujuzi Central Forest Reserve, which was gazetted in 1962.
According to the NFA, Mujuzi Central Forest Reserve, which spans 4,026 hectares, is one of the 60 protected central forest reserves in the Greater Masaka region, although some indigenous tree species have been cut down by loggers and cultivators.
In a phone interview with this reporter, Aldon Walukamba, NFA Communications and Public Relations Manager, alleged that Gen. Kayanja fraudulently acquired the land title for the disputed land and subsequently fenced it off, threatening the livelihoods of the locals who were using it.
He added: “Officials from the Masaka regional NFA office visited the site in January this year and found part of the forest reserve fenced off, with trees cut down. They also discovered that a public toilet, constructed for the fishing community at Dimu landing site, and the fish drying yards for silverfish used by local fishermen had been enclosed.”
Earlier this year, in January, the East African Community Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), which includes the three countries sharing Lake Victoria [Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda], decided to establish at least one solar-powered silverfish dryer in each of the countries to help reduce post-harvest losses, particularly affecting women at lakeside landing sites. However, the project in Uganda has stalled due to the ongoing dispute.
In an interview in Masaka City, Tom Bukenya Mukasa, the Commissioner for Fisheries Regulation and Control at the Ministry of Agriculture, said, “This multi-million-pound project funded by IFAD was intended to run from January to March 2025, but it is unfortunate that construction of the solar dryer at Dimu landing site has been halted due to the land dispute.”
Bukenya, who also serves as the Committee Chairman of the LVFO, explained that the objective of the project is to improve hygienic practices and the quality of silverfish, helping to meet the increasing demand on the international market. “Good-quality silverfish will lead to higher profits and a sustainable livelihood for small-scale businesswomen and youth,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Masaka Resident District Commissioner, Janat Billy Mulindwa, intervened in the matter by convening a meeting at Dimu landing site today to have the two parties resolve the issue.
Kayanja defends himself further
At the meeting, Kayanja defended himself, stating that he has no intention of evicting fishermen from the landing site. He maintained that he legally acquired the land and was only interested in developing the area.
“This land issue is being stirred up by the LC1 Chairman, Gerald Kyakulubye, who is inciting residents and the NFA to oppose me, even though I acquired the land legally,” Kayanja said. He added that he had filed a case against Kyakulubye for allegedly inciting violence.
Kyakulumbye speaks out
However, Kyakulubye denied Kayanja’s claims, stating that the disputed land belongs to the NFA and that local residents had been conducting their business without interruption until Kayanja began asserting ownership. He said that fishermen are now living in fear after their fish drying yards, plots, and the public toilet were fenced off.
“Maj. Gen. Kayanja and his team approached my LC1 committee seeking a piece of land to establish a beach, and we identified a site far from the landing site. But I was surprised to see his workers fencing off part of the land where fishermen were carrying out their activities,” Kyakulubye said.
He further insisted that he never advised Kayanja to acquire the land. “When did they conduct a survey on this land?” Kyakulubye said, adding that Kayanja’s actions were fraudulent, as the LC1 letter authorising him to fence off the landing site was forged.
Walukamba has confirmed that Kayanja’s land title will be cancelled, and the retired army general will face legal action for encroaching on a gazetted forest reserve.
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