Residents accused Abenaitwe’s workers of intimidation, trespassing, and sexual harassment of women. They further claimed that the workers had blocked access to community water sources, forcing villagers to travel long distances to fetch water elsewhere.
Tension is running high in Saayi Village, Saayi Parish, Kisoga–Ntenjeru Town Council, Mukono District, as furious residents accuse the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Zombo District, Mr Abenaitwe Robert, of illegally cultivating cannabis on government forest land and terrorising the local community.
According to residents, Mr. Abenaitwe — described as a wealthy and influential civil servant — established a large cannabis plantation in Ziri Miti Forest Reserve, occupying an estimated 17 acres of protected land. They allege that his workers are armed and have been intimidating villagers, destroying crops, killing livestock, and allowing their cattle to graze freely on residents’ food gardens.
“We can no longer live in peace. His workers destroy our crops, kill our goats and sheep, and threaten us with guns,” lamented Ssalongo Ibrahim Katongole, one of the local leaders spearheading the residents’ protest.
The escalating tensions recently prompted security agencies, including the police and the army, to convene a crisis meeting with the community to defuse the situation. The meeting, held in the village, was attended by Mr. Abenaitwe himself and Col. Edward Kakhongi, the officer in charge of forest land allocations.
However, before the meeting could begin, a group of angry residents staged a peaceful protest, demanding that the CAO vacate the village over allegations of misconduct and for employing armed guards who allegedly threaten locals.
During the heated community dialogue, residents accused Mr. Abenaitwe’s workers of intimidation, trespassing, and sexual harassment of women. They further claimed that the workers had blocked access to community water sources, forcing villagers to travel long distances to fetch water elsewhere.
In response, Mr. Abenaitwe, who attended the meeting alongside his wife, Mrs. Harriet Abenaitwe, denied all allegations, describing them as baseless and malicious attempts to tarnish his name. He acknowledged cultivating cannabis but maintained that his activities were legal and properly licensed by relevant government authorities.
“I am not doing anything illegal. I obtained the necessary approvals, and my activities are within the law,” Mr. Abenaitwe said, dismissing the claims of violence as “fabrications meant to fuel hatred.”
However, Col. Edward Kakhongi contradicted the CAO’s assertion, clarifying that although the forest land had been allocated to Mr. Abenaitwe, the permission granted was strictly for reforestation and not cannabis cultivation.
“The land was given out for tree planting, not marijuana farming. We are investigating the matter, and if these allegations are true, the activity will be stopped immediately,” Col. Kakhongi emphasized.
Representing the District Police Commander (DPC) Mugerwa Benard, the Mukono District Police Liaison Officer, Mr. Kasujja Shafic, assured residents that the matter was under serious investigation. He urged the community to remain calm and to always seek police intervention rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Some of the security officers who attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Ntenjeru–Kisoga Town Council, Mr. Kiyaga Robinson Hudson, called for calm and cooperation, warning that the council would not tolerate any form of armed intimidation within the community.
“We cannot allow gun-wielding guards to roam our communities. Such actions could easily lead to bloodshed,” Mr. Kiyaga warned.
As investigations continue, the residents of Saayi Village remain fearful, demanding the immediate removal of the cannabis plantation from the forest reserve. They argue that the activity not only threatens their safety and livelihoods but also endangers the environment and undermines public trust in government institutions.
