An alarming incident unfolded this afternoon as tensions escalated during a land dispute resolution in Hoima district. Minister Sam Mayanja and his team were met with gunfire from private security guards as they attempted to address a long-standing land conflict in Rwobunyonyi village, Buraru parish, Kyabigambire sub-county.
Junior Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, was on-site to mediate the dispute when he and his team were fired upon by security guards allegedly hired by Fred Mugamba. Mugamba had deployed the guards to enforce his claim to the disputed land, which has been a source of contention for an extended period.
Local residents affected by the dispute have accused Mugamba of forcibly driving them away from the land, destroying their property, and causing damage to their crops. Seeking justice and an end to their plight, they sought the intervention of Minister Sam Mayanja to address the situation.
In a shocking turn of events, the security guards opened fire on Minister Mayanja and his team, prompting outrage and condemnation. The incident has led to a significant uproar in the community, as the use of armed guards in land disputes has raised serious concerns.
Minister Sam Mayanja swiftly responded by ordering the immediate arrest of the private security guards involved in the shooting. He cited a directive from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, which called for the removal of all private security guards from private properties. The president’s decree aimed to curtail the misuse of armed personnel to intimidate and harm citizens, leaving only a few individuals in defiance of the directive.
The prevalence of land disputes is not limited to Hoima but extends to various regions, particularly Bunyoro and Buganda. This ongoing issue has resulted in numerous individuals losing their land as affluent individuals resort to leveraging their wealth, legal channels, and even security forces to lay claim to properties.
As the situation unfolds, this remains a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Would you like to get published on this Website? You can now email Uganda Times: an Opinion, any breaking news, Exposes, story ideas, human interest, articles, or any interesting videos: news@ugandatimes.ug. Or join the Ugandatimes WhatsApp Group or Telegram Channel for the latest updates
