Residents of several villages bordering the Bugoma Forest Reserve in Kabaaale sub-county, Hoima district, have accused Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom officials of conspiring to give away more forest land.
Despite the Kingdom’s denials, residents claim to have evidence linking officials to the alleged land grab.
The affected villages of Zorobi, Ngemwa, Nyakasinini, Nkwanki, and Kigaaga which is alleged to be part of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, allege that Kingdom officials are working with an Indian investor who plans to establish a sugar mill.
Residents reported seeing Kingdom vehicles, accompanied by men in UPDF military attire (presumed to be Kingdom security), surveying the land with the investor.
They suspect a syndicate involving Kingdom officials and brokers is attempting to secure a land title to facilitate the land grab.
The residents have petitioned Bugahya County Member of Parliament, Pius Rujumba Wakabi, who invited a meeting with Kingdom officials last Friday, January 30, to address the allegations.
Kingdom representatives, including Alex Katusabe, the Chief Administrative Secretary, and Steven Businge, the Kingdom Legal Officer, attended the meeting.
Katusabe attempts to re-assure residents that the Kingdom had no intention of grabbing their land were met with doubt.
He said the Kingdom has the right to inspect land within its boundaries and claimed they were investigating a group of army veterans, “Tulipona,” suspected of attempting to grab land.
These claims did little to quell the residents’ anger.
Tempers flared during the meeting, with some residents threatening to take matters into their own hands.
Wakabi, who promised to fight for his people, urged them not to resort to violence, warning that such actions could be used as a pretext for eviction.
He encouraged residents to be vigilant, report suspicious activity, and secure formal land titles to protect their ownership.
Max Omuto, a resident and Chairperson for Hoima Sugar Sugarcane Out-growers Association, said his investigations suggest the investor intends to lease land from the Kingdom for a sugar mill, but clarified that it is not Hoima Sugar, as some have claimed.
He called on the MP to further investigate the matter, noting alleged internal conflicts within the Kingdom.
Deus Turyamuhika, the area LC2 Chairperson, pointed to previous incidents in Rwegabi and Muhangaizima, where the Kingdom initially denied involvement in land allocation but was later proven to be complicit.
He called for a government investigation. Omuto stressed the importance of preventing the issuance of a land title to the potential grabbers, citing a previous case in Rwakiswaza where residents were evicted despite the land owner having a title.
Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga, the Kingdom Premier, recently dismissed the reports, stating that Kingdom officials were simply conducting routine land inspections and are free to move with anyone without permission.
The National Forestry Authority, which manages the land bordering the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, confirmed they have also received information regarding the situation.
The 2016 lease of 22 square miles of land in Kyangwali sub-county to Hoima Sugar Limited by the Kingdom remains a contentious issue, with ecologists alleging the land was illegally acquired from the forest reserve and that this might follow suit if nothing is done about it.
