Residents find solace in Minister Mayanja’s gospel
The residents of Nyakatookye Cell, Macuncu Parish, Kinoni Sub-County, Kiruhura District have found solace in the reassurance of Hon. Sam Mayanja, Uganda’s Minister of State for Lands, Housing and Urban Development. During a community meeting, Mayanja emphasized that no resident should be evicted from their land, affirming government’s commitment to land rights and protections.
The meeting was prompted by rising fears among residents including Joy Kiiza and Tumwiine Almanzani, who shared their traumatic experiences of threats and harassment related to ongoing land disputes. The conflict traces back to 2001 when Tumusiime and Sanyu Kanyatsi purchased the land and allegedly began to harass and evict existing residents with tensions escalating in 2007.
Land claimants Tumusiime and Sanyu Kanyatsi announced their intention to evict residents claiming ownership but Minister Mayanja responded firmly. He warned that anyone attempting to forcibly evict residents without legal backing would be arrested and the law would take its course. “If one buys a land with titles but the residents have occupied it in good faith they are not just buying air,” he stated.
The minister also clarified that changes in land ownership titles do not alter the bona fide interests of landholders citing relevant articles from the constitution to reassure the affected residents. “The law protects those who have occupied land in good faith, regardless of the change in ownership,” he explained.
Residents, many of whom have lived on the land for years, expressed relief after hearing the minister’s words. Joy Kiiza and Tumwiine Almanzani recounted their fears of eviction and the terror they have endured since the wrangles began. Their stories highlighted the ongoing struggle for land security in Nyakastookye, which has persisted for over two decades.
The land dispute has deepened since 2001 with residents alleging that Tumusiime and Sanyu Kanyatsi have been harassing and attempting to evict them for years. The government’s intervention aims to restore peace and ensure that residents’ land rights are protected under the law.
Hon. Sam Mayanja’s assurance offers hope for the community signaling a commitment to justice and legal enforcement in resolving land conflicts. The residents now await further steps to safeguard their land and livelihoods.
