RDC, senior police officer cited in land grabbing wrangle

By Francis Otucu

The Police Director of Legal Services Erasmus Twaruhukwa and Kira Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Alex Guma have been accused of siding with three people claiming part of the land comprised on Plot 385, Block 185 at Namugongo, Kira Kito in Wakiso district.

The duo is said to be siding with Joseph Sekasamba, Winnie Tugume and Hasifa Namukasa to claim ownership of the land that reportedly belongs to 86-year old Alice Nabitosi, who has already sought sanctuary in court.

But on January 3, 2020, Twaruhukwa authored a letter tasking Kampala Metropolitan Police to withdraw from the said land and allow Sekasamba, Tugume and Namukasa to continue using the land.

“..On the face of it, the complainants have documents that prove their ownership of the land. Nevertheless, ownership of the land is a civil matter that is adjudicated upon by courts of law,” Twaruhukwa wrote.

He added: “This therefore is to direct that you ensure that there is no police interference into the owner’s use of their property in any manner unless there is a court order to that effect which must first be cleared by the Directorate of Legal Services as the procedure is. The deployment of the Police on the premises should be to protect the rights of the current occupant of the land to wit, Ms Tugume Winnie/Hasifa Namukasa.”

Twaruhukwa however advised aggrieved parties to petition him in writing.

“Should there be a party aggrieved by this decision, the same should put their complaint  in writing for more investigation,” the letter copied to  Commandant Land Protection Police Unit and Divisional  Police Commander, Kira Division, reads.

In December 2019, a battle between local residents and Local Defense Unit officers deployed on the said land led to the death of one person. Two of the protesters were also injured in the scuffle between officers firing live bullets and the protestors who were pelting stones in retaliation.