By Mukembo Wilfred
Lands state minister Sam Mayanja is on the spot following accusations that he is aiding land evictions in Lugazi municipality, Buikwe district.
The locals in Buikwe accuse mayanja of causing the eviction of hundreds of bibanja holders in Luyanzi villages in Kawolo division, yet the matter is still in court
Sam Mayanja is accused of siding with one of the families, which is a party to the conflict. The land on block 179, plot 42,46,48,49,50 and 51, measuring 289 acres; located in Lugazi municipality hosts over 200 bibanja holders whom minister mayanja is accused of causing their eviction.
The hitherto bibanja holders are now homeless as their homes were destroyed by a group of machete-wielding men at night. That reportedly happened after Minister Mayanja gave a greenlight to the family of Gitta Lugolobi to take over the land and evict the bibanja holders who were on the land.
Following the destruction of bibanja holders’ property, the family of mbawa(party to the conflict) and other bibanja holders lodged a criminal complaint of malicious damage to property at lugazi police station, referenced as SD 24/11/2023. Well, knowing that the case is still in court, the minister visited the locus and ordered that Lugolobi, who has been battling with the family of mbawa, be given possession of the land.
The minister’s directive, according to Mbawa and area residents, caused chaos during the demolition of houses of different bibanja holders on the land.
The Mbawa family writes to the president.
The family of Mbawa and area leaders have written to the president asking him to intervene and direct that the bibanja holders who were evicted be reinstated on their bibanja. The letter accuses minister mayanja of siding with the Lugolobi family to fraudulently grab their land and evict bibanja holders who are now homeless.
The mbawa family accuses the minister of disregarding a court order, visiting the land, and ordering that Mr. Gitta Lugolobi took over the land. He also allegedly ordered the RDC, DPC, to arrest bibanja holders who resisted eviction. The minister is further accused of using his long-term relationship with the lugolobi family to abuse his office by issuing arbitrary orders, in total disregard of the court process.
