Summary:

• President Museveni expresses concern over numerous complaints of land grabbing involving State House officials, as State House Special Assistant reveals the president’s frustration, prompting the Minister of Lands to order the arrest of two implicated individuals.

President Yoweri Museveni is reportedly baffled by the escalating cases of land grabbing involving officials from State House and the Office of the President. This revelation was made on Friday by Ms Phiona Barungi, the State House Special Assistant on General Duties, during a meeting with victims of land grabbing in Luwero district.

Barungi disclosed that the president has recently been inundated with complaints about State House officials causing distress to numerous individuals, particularly in central Uganda. She emphasized the pervasive nature of the issue, stating, “There are just too many complaints about State House employees. We have become a significant problem, even the president himself, who appointed us, is concerned…he does not know what to do.”

Highlighting the seriousness of the matter, Barungi added, “He sent us to serve the people, but we are now serving our own interests. It has reached a point where nearly every State House official is entangled in a land dispute somewhere.”

During a meeting in Zirobwe village in Bukyimu sub-county in Bamunakika, Barungi shared that her office is besieged daily by distressed individuals, some even receiving death threats from influential figures. Recounting a recent incident, she stated, “Yesterday, I had just arrived from Turkey, feeling unwell, but I found a man waiting for me at the airport. He informed me that an individual connected to Gen Muhoozi Kairerugaba was pursuing him with the intent to kill him and seize his land.”

Upon investigation, it was revealed that the accused had no association with Gen Muhoozi and was merely a repeat offender in land grabbing. During the meeting, residents identified specific individuals who had been harassing them, destroying their crops, and employing various forms of violence to coerce them into relinquishing their land.

In response to the gravity of the situation, the Minister of Lands, Hon Sam Mayanja, issued orders for the arrest of two notorious land grabbers, namely Mary Babirye and Rasmus Kagaba.