Land grabbing: Buliisa residents rejoice after arrest of tycoon

Kaahwa, a 72-year-old resident of Kigwera Sub-county in Buliisa district, was recently arrested in Kampala by State House Anti-Corruption Unit

Peter Kugonza

Buliisa residents whose land tycoon Kaahwa claims ownership. Photo by Peter Kugonza.

BULIISA, August 22, 2024 – Residents and local leaders in Butiaba town council, Buliisa district, have commended President Museveni for his role in the recent arrest of Francis Kaahwa, a land speculator who has caused significant distress among the local population.

Kaahwa, a 72-year-old resident of Kigwera Sub-county in Buliisa district, was recently arrested in Kampala by State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and arraigned in Buliisa Grade One Magistrate Court on charges of land grabbing, false declaration, forgery, and uttering false documents.

During the court session, Senior Resident State Attorney Steven Asaba detailed the allegations against Kaahwa. He explained that on January 18, 2006, Kaahwa submitted a fraudulent application, signed by Lukumu Kadogoli, to convert customary land belonging to peasants to freehold.

“Kaahwa Francis, on October 18, 2006, at the Masindi District Local Government, knowingly and with intent to defraud, made a false statement in an application to the Masindi District Land Board for the conversion of land from customary to freehold tenure. He falsely declared that he was the customary owner of approximately 500 acres of land located at Itutwe Kihungya parish, Biiso Sub-county, Buliisa district,” Asaba told court.

Kaahwa pleaded not guilty to the charges on August 16, having spent a day behind bars. He was granted bail of Shs 3 million and ordered to return to court on September 19, 2024.

He arrest elicited mixed reactions among residents and local leaders, with some saying his arrest is a positive step towards ending Kaahwa’s harassment and threats of eviction.

Tycoon Francis Kaahwa [wearing face mask] sharing with his lawyer lawyers Daniel Omara after court session. Photo by Peter Kugonza.

Deo Ntakimanye, Chairperson of Boma village in Butiaba town council, reported that residents in his village, along with neighbouring Wantembo village, have been conflicting with Kaahwa over 2,000 acres of land since 2010. Ntakimanye explained that their initial case against Kaahwa was dismissed in Masindi High Court, and despite lodging an appeal to court, getting justice was elusive.

He expressed hope that Kaahwa’s arrest would lead to a halt in the harassment of the peasants and called on the government to ensure that the alleged land grabber is prosecuted so that affected residents receive justice. He also urged government to cancel the land titles processed by Kaahwa and assist the residents secure their own land titles.

Simon Bendebure, a resident of Kigwera Sub-county, expressed relief at Kaahwa’s arrest, noting that many people in the Buliisa had believed Kaahwa was untouchable before he was arrested, and arraigned in court.

On his part, Moses Agaba, Mayor of Butiaba town council, commended President Museveni for his intervention, stating that Kaahwa’s arrest should bring peace to the affected areas. However, Agaba cautioned that the arrest alone might not address the grievances of those who are not part of the current court case.

The events leading up to Kaahwa’s arrest began on August 8, 2024, when State Minister for Lands Dr. Sam Mayanja and Phiona Barungi, the Assistant Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, visited Buliisa district to address the land conflicts involving over 2,000 residents of Wantembo and Kaahwa who appealed to Museveni for intervention in the matter.

According to Ntakimanye, the land conflicts began in 2010 after residents offered land for construction of the army barracks.

https://thecooperator.news/buliisa-local-leaders-worried-over-persistent-attacks-by-elephants/

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