By Robert Segawa
The Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, has announced a significant restructuring of the Land Protection Unit, aimed at enhancing its capacity to address land-related issues. Previously supervised by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) with Commandant SCP Venis Tumuhimbise overseeing operations from the CID headquarters in Kibuli, the unit will now fall under the Directorate of Legal and Human Rights.
According to Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma, the restructured unit will be headed by Commissioner of Police James Kusemererwa, a legal professional, and will be supported by Assistant Commissioner of Police Musani Sabila. Kituuma emphasized that the goal of this restructuring is to improve the unit’s ability to address both the legal and operational aspects of land disputes.
Kituuma further explained that the move aims to create a more efficient, one-stop center for handling land disputes, which previously required navigating multiple departments, including CID, the Legal Directorate for advice, and the Directorate of Operations for enforcement of court orders. “It has been a long process to go to Kibuli CID, then the legal directorate for advice, and later to the Directorate of Operations to enforce court orders,” he noted.
Land-related issues are critical, as they often result in domestic violence, mob justice, and other serious offences. With 29 policing regions across the country, each now having an officer from the Legal and Human Rights Directorate, the police force aims to provide better and more timely support in resolving land disputes.
