By Hannah Marion Namukasa
Residents of Lwemiyaga in Ssembabule District have voiced urgent pleas for a meeting with Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, citing persistent harassment and land disputes involving their long-serving legislator Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo.
The outcry from residents follows allegations that their Member of Parliament, Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo, has been involved in coercive land evictions and other forms of intimidation over his 23-year tenure. According to residents, Ssekikubo is accused of using violence, including shooting incidents, to enforce his alleged fraudulent land deals.
On Friday morning, a group of concerned residents gathered at the Parliament of Uganda to seek intervention from Speaker Among. Richard Kamukama, a resident, expressed their grievances, stating, “Ssekikubo has been harassing us for the past 23 years. We urgently need the Speaker’s intervention to end this and stop the human rights violations orchestrated by our MP.”
The residents have also petitioned General Muhoozi, Chief of Defense Forces, and Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba to investigate the alleged offenses and ensure justice is served. Muyiga Benon, another resident, lamented the loss of grazing land critical for their cattle-keeping community, blaming Ssekikubo for their plight.
“Ssembabule is a cattle-keeping area, and losing our grazing land means losing our livelihoods,” Muyiga emphasized, urging Parliament to hold Ssekikubo accountable and facilitate the return of allegedly seized land to its rightful owners.
Namawejje Irene spoke tearfully of the hardships inflicted by Ssekikubo, alleging widespread destruction and loss caused by his actions. “He took away our land, burnt our homes, and imprisoned innocent people,” she recounted, highlighting the devastating impact on the community.
According to Nahabwe Grace, a local council representative, Ssekikubo’s influence extends even to the District Security Committee, complicating efforts to seek justice and restore order in the affected areas.
Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo, known for his political tenure and recent parliamentary motions, including a censure motion against fellow legislators, faces mounting criticism from residents who deem his actions contradictory to his role as an elected representative.
The residents’ demands underscore growing frustration and urgency for intervention to address alleged abuses of power and restore justice in Lwemiyaga. They await responses from Speaker Among and President Museveni, hoping for swift action to alleviate their grievances and secure their rights.
