Private security forces deployed to guard the interests of Mr Fred Mugamba – the holder of the disputed land title in Hoima District have been withdrawn until further notice.
It followed the August 24 Rwobunyonyi village shootout during the State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Sam Mayanja and his delegation’s advance to guarded areas after a community meeting.
Mr Michael Kyakashari Muramira, the Hoima Deputy Resident District Commissioner, has told Kazi-njema News that the local authorities had to abide by the minister’s advice to have the private security guards attached to Pyramid Security Group withdrawn to restore order on the disputed land.
Some of the security group’s five armed members were arrested in connection with the shooting during the minister’s visit that caused a standoff and running battles between his security detail and the guards.
The guards were arrested days before the implementation of the minister’s directive to withdraw all of them from the area and wait for justice to prevail.
The three-square mile land in dispute covers Rwobunyonyi and Kirindasojo villages.
Relatedly, in the neighbouring Kikuube district, private security guards deployed to Rwengabi disputed land after fresh clashes between communities and a rich man claiming to have a land title have also been withdrawn.
A local human rights defender has told Kazi-njema online radio reporter that it followed community and local leaders’ opposition.
Mr Javian Agenonga, the Executive Director for Albertine Institute for Community Development (AICOD), says the residents continue demanding for the central government’s intervention to have the conflict resolved once and for all so that communities can reoccupy the land for economic activities.
The Kikuube District Local Government Vice Chairman, Mr Vincent Alpha Opio, had described the deployment of security guards as illegal and a step to silence vulnerable community members who had interests in the land.
