Charles Ssemakula, an HCP official, claimed that the company’s actions were based on agreements with landowners, a statement disputed by the residents. Residents also accused local leaders and police of bias and mishandling the situation.
Lands
Minister Judith Nabakooba has issued a directive stopping all transactions
related to politician James Rwanyarare’s 640-acre land in Kasanje, Wakiso
District. This follows a violent confrontation between Home Care Properties
(HCP) and local residents who accuse the company of forcibly taking over their
land and destroying property. The dispute led to riots, during which one person
was shot, and accusations of police bias were raised.
The Minister
convened a meeting on Monday to investigate the situation, attended by Entebbe
Division Police Commander Steven Twinamsiko, Kasanje Police OC Phillemon
Ahabwe, area MP Charles Matovu, some of Rwanyarare’s children, representatives
of HCP, and local leaders. Minister Nabakooba heard disturbing accounts from
residents who claimed that their gardens and homes were bulldozed without
proper notice or consent.
Many residents alleged that HCP had begun grading
their land before negotiating and forced them to sign documents under duress.
Charles
Ssemakula, an HCP official, claimed that the company’s actions were based on
agreements with landowners, a statement disputed by the residents. Residents
also accused local leaders and police of bias and mishandling the situation.
After hearing both sides, Minister Nabakooba requested an account from
Rwanyarare’s family.
Caroline
Kahamutima, Rwanyarare’s daughter, reported that their father had acquired the
land following a failed mortgage by one Kaama. She alleged that an errant son,
Kevin Kiiza, had forged powers of attorney to fraudulently sell the land. Kiiza
had reportedly processed a special title for the land after being refused the
original title by his elder brother, Bruce Rwanyarare. Despite this, a special
title was issued to Kiiza by Lands Ministry officials and registered at the
Wakiso Lands Office.
Minister
Nabakooba directed an immediate halt to all developments and transactions by
HCP and mandated that peace be restored for bibanja holders until the ownership
dispute is resolved. She also instructed that the caveat previously placed by
the family be reinstated and the original title returned to the system,
overriding Kiiza’s title.
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Residents
were warned against attempting to sell any part of their bibanja.
Kasanje
Police OC Phillemon Ahabwe, who was accused of siding with HCP, was also
instructed to ensure peace and order. Minister Nabakooba emphasized that the
law requires proper negotiations between registered owners and bibanja holders
if a land takeover is to occur, including the option to share the land or
continue paying rent.
Caroline
Kahamutima expressed gratitude for the minister’s intervention but criticized
government officials for allegedly enabling fraud in the land sector.
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Court Division,”//
MP Charles
Matovu praised the minister’s actions, stating they would provide residents
with much-needed relief and protection from HCP. He also criticized the
continued presence of local leaders who side with land dealers and called for
urgent local council elections to address these issues.
