A soldier attached to the Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces (UPDF) Air Force is on the spot for allegedly grabbing a plot of land in Buwate, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
It is alleged that Capt. Musa Akandwanaho forcefully took possession of a plot of land adjacent to his residence without following the due process of the law.
Monica Muwonge, the registered proprietor of the land, says that since 2023 Capt. Akandwanaho has deprived her of using her property.
“I bought plot 1159 after he occupied plot 1158 but instead of concentrating on his part, he annexed 7 decimals of my plot and constructed a perimeter wall fence. I complained to the police and as if that is not enough, he has since embarked on destroying my crops and property on the remaining portion without lawful excuse,” she told journalists.
She appealed to the authorities to intervene so that justice can be served.
While accusing the soldier of using a gun and force to take her land, Muwonge states that Capt. Akandwanaho has repeatedly stopped her and her workers from using the remaining part of the plot and even dug a waste channel releasing animal and human waste into her land.
“I bought this plot through a court process and upon starting to use it, this man is threatening me, destroying my property on top of threatening violence,” she said.
According to Muwonge, she purchased the land from bailiff Ismail Magumba of Capital Debt Agency, who had secured a warrant of attachment from the High Court. She says she was introduced to the area LCI chairman before taking possession.
Muwonge says the matter has been reported to Buwate Police Post, Kira Police Division, and Jinja Road Police. She claims the soldier sometimes apologises but later continues to deprive her of land use.
While showing journalists around, she revealed that the soldier has resorted to destroying her crops and intimidating her workers.
Documents seen by this publication show that Capt. Akandwanaho bought plot 1158, while Muwonge bought plot 1159 through Alaka & Company Advocates.
When contacted, Capt. Akandwanaho denied allegations of land grabbing, saying Muwonge filed several complaints but is yet to prove ownership.
He accused her of forging land documents, claiming that when she realised she was under investigation, she stopped following up her cases with police.
At Buwate Police, Muwonge reported cases of theft of property, malicious damage, and GEF 045/2024 at Jinja Road Police, in addition to other complaints at Kira Division.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, said no one is above the law and the matter will be investigated to its conclusion.
He declined to give further details, citing multiple complaints against the soldier that are still under probe.
Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson, declined to comment on the details, reasoning that the matter is under investigation by a competent security agency.
“…if it is discovered that Capt. Akandwanaho committed any crime, he will be prosecuted like any other Ugandan,” Maj. Gen. Kulayigye said in a telephone interview.
