A family in Nansana Municipality was devastated when their home was demolished in the middle of the night due to a land dispute and allegations against a local MP.
A family in Nansana Municipality is reeling from a traumatic eviction after their home was demolished in the dead of night. The incident, which has sparked outrage, involves a land dispute and allegations against a local member of parliament.
The eviction was carried out on the property of Edward Kolya and his wife, residents of Kiwenda village in Nansana Municipality. The dispute has brought to light serious accusations against Atkins Katushabe, the Member of Parliament representing Bukonjo West, who is accused of being behind the violent eviction.
According to Florence Nakimbowa, who was inside the house when it was attacked, a group of men stormed the property at 2 a.m. They forcefully evicted the family and allegedly invoked the name of their MP, Atkins Katushabe, claiming he had sent them. Nakimbowa insisted that when Edward Kolya originally purchased the land, it had no other occupants.
Edward Kolya, the distraught head of the household, revealed that his family has lived on this land for over thirty years. He expressed his shock that the MP is now claiming the land, stating that he has never had any prior interaction with the legislator about it. Kolya further explained that he has been paying land rent (busuulu) to the legitimate authorities and is known to the local residents as a long-term inhabitant.
The situation has caused deep fear and anger among the community. Local leaders and women from the village reported that the resident has become a target of repeated attacks and intimidation. They allege that he has been conspiring with potential buyers to illegally survey and seize land, creating a state of terror among the residents. The confrontation turned physically violent, with the community defending themselves against what they saw as an invasion. In a retaliatory act, the mob set the resident's house on fire and attempted to assault him.
The community is united in their condemnation of the violent act perpetrated against their neighbor, with whom they have coexisted peacefully for a very long time. They are dismayed that he has faced such injustice.
The affected residents have called for immediate intervention from relevant authorities, including the RDC of Wakiso, Ms. Justine Mbabazi, to provide them with justice. They also accuse the MP of initially misleading them by filing a false case against them at Kasangati Police Station over the land he now claims, despite previously stating he had no knowledge of it.
Police from Busukuma station intervened, rescuing the targeted resident and taking him to Kasangati Police Station for his safety and for further investigation into the matter.
