HOIMA– The Seven purported landlords of the land where 1,000 people were evicted in Kapapi and Kiganja sub-counties, Hoima district intend to sue the minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, Hoima resident district commissioner, and Rogers Mbbazi for resettling the evictees on the contested land.
On February 11, 2023, the residents from different villages were attacked by groups of men armed with guns and machetes, leaving several houses on the contested land demolished and others burnt while several people were injured during the eviction exercise carried out during the night.
Six people including Ndahura William Gafayo, Astoni Muhwezi, Alex Kyamanywa, Nathan Kiiza Byarugonjo, Bahuzya, Monica Rwashadika, and Wilber Kiiza own one of the land titles measuring 2545 acres [1030 hectares]. The title covers part of Kapapi and Kiganja sub-counties.
Another land title for a piece of land measuring about three square miles belongs to Moses Asiimwe Byagire, a businessman in Hoima town. The land title covers four villages including Waki South, Waki North, Runga, Kapapi Central, and Kiryateete in Kapapi Sub-county.
After the eviction on Wednesday 22-2-2023, Minister Nabakooba rushed to Kapapi Sub-county to intervene in the misery of the residents.
During the meeting which was held at Rukora primary school, Rukora village, Kapapi subcounty in Hoima, Nabakoba said that the eviction was illegal because it was conducted without a court order.
She described the act as inhuman and barbaric, adding that legally, eviction of people is supposed to be carried out from 8 am to 6 pm but shockingly the Kapapi eviction was conducted at night.
She added that the eviction was conducted without following the land law, which gives a bonafide occupant of land compensation or a chance to buy the same land.
Based on these facts, Nabakooba ordered evicted residents to go back to the contested pieces of land before they would select a committee to investigate the issues surrounding the land.
She also ordered security to arrest all those people who evicted residents and rooted livestock of the victims.
She also ordered security to investigate the claims of raping women and arrest all those who got involved in such horrible acts.
Nabakooba also ordered Hoima district police commander Jackson Bogere and RDC Mbabazi to ensure Eria Mulega, Sam Bataza, Edward Karongo, Steven Karongo, Steven Langila, Fred Nyagihi, Inosi Muneda, and Moses Muzoora among others, get released on police bond after they were held by security, despite being the victims of the illegal eviction.
However one day after Nabakooba left Hoima, the purported landlords of the of 1,030 hectares land issued a letter of intent to use to minister Nabakooba, RDC Mbabazi, and one Deus Mugume.
The letter dated February 23, 2023, and addressed to minister Nabakoba, RDC Mbabazi, and Deus Mugume claimed that minister Nabakoba and RDC Mbabazi issued directives without giving the purported landlords a fair hearing.
In the letter, the landlords, claim they are the rightful owners of the contested land with a title deed which they say was acquired in 2008, adding that most of the people claiming ownership were mere tenants.
He added that they have court injunction under HCCS NO 16 of 2022, HCCS No 53 of 2022, and HCCS101 of 2022, which restrained the evictees from trespassing and maintaining status quo on the said land until court orders otherwise.
“It is well within your own Knowledge that you have never and you did not accord any fair hearing to us to respond to the false allegation leveled against us as the rule of natural justice demands. As a result, we have suffered untold anguish, hatred, lost reputation, lost properties, damages and miscarriage of justice due to your aforesaid unfair action,” the letter reads the letter of intent to sue the minister and others.
“Take note that your action was illegal, unlawful and therefore you are jointly liable for whatever illegal, unlawful action and consequences resulting from your aforesaid directives against our personal lives and property,” the letter continues.
When contacted through phone Nabakooba confirmed receiving the letter of intent to sue her, adding they communicated to the landlords asking them to negotiate with the affected people and get back to her office.
She also said that the landlords were invited but they did not turn up for the meeting in Hoima.
https://thecooperator.news/hoima-leaders-call-for-probe-into-brutal-eviction-of-kapapi-residents/
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