By Innocent Atuganyira / Kyangwali News
An individual is claiming two villages of Kigunia I and Kijumbura Kihanguzi parish Labongo sub county Buruli county in Masindi district. It's alleged that Edward Mugisa who blames residents for encroaching on his land, sold it to Edward Irumba in 2015.
In a meeting held this morning in Kigunia 1 village ended unfruitful as grief residents, and alleged land owner never agreed on solving the matter, and decided to postpone it till further notice. The meeting aimed at harmonizing and solving the issue of the disputed land.
In the course of the meeting, residents revealed that Edward Mugisa acquired land tittle in the unlawful way noting that they also have there land tittles. They also questioned how Mugisa processed and acquired another land tittle, yet they also have theirs. “How can one piece of land have two land tittles,” residents wondered.
Individual claims ownership of two villages, residents risk eviction | File Photo
Edward Mugisa said the land tittle was transferred to him from the father priest (names withheld) who bought the land from the government when Magabai Kartel an Indian citizen leased the land for 65years to the government. Edward Irumba who claimed to have bought the land said that he is following up for his money he injected in purchasing the land.
Speaking to our reporter shortly after the meeting, Mr. Robert Byaruhanga the area chairperson Kigunia 1 village said the main aim of the meeting was to harmonize and solve the issue of land however, some residents where unaware of Mugisa owning the land.
The area chairperson has therefore revealed that though he is not affected, he won't sit aside and look at his subjects being evicted. He has appealed to government to descend and intervene noting that his subjects have no where to go.
AFFECTED RTESIDENTS SPEAKOUT
Mr. Yekonia Kwezi 80, explains that he was born, grew up on that land, and he is surprised Mugisa and the team ordering him to vacate from the land. He is appealing to government to intervene and help him since he doesn't have where to go.
Mr. Benecto Aida 65, explains he was born, grew and cultivates on the same piece of land, he is wondering why Mugisa and his team wants to evict them. The aggrieved resident has vowed not to vacate the land because he has children, and grand children to look after, and he doesn't have where to go.
Ms. Judith Nyakirya 53, explains her that her parents were buried on that same land, and she is wondering Mugisa and his team claiming land ownership forcing them to vacate, yet they don't have where to go. Ms. Top Kabagenyi reveals that she is a borne of that area, and she doesn't have where to go. She has therefore appealed to government to intervene and help them.
Joseph Asiya 57, also explains his father came in 1942, they have occupied the land since that year, he has family to cater for and sadly they don't have where to go. “Let them come and kill us, we won't vacate this land because we don't have where to go,” Asiya vowed.
Mr. Fred Mwesigwa 38, says he was borne on that land, all his parents died and where buried on the same piece of land. He is wondering why Mugisa and his team are claiming land ownership and forcing them to vacate. Mwesigwa is therefore, appealing to the government to intervene and help them.
Mr. Justus Balikurungi 80, explains that he was borne on that land, and it's painful Mugisa who migrated from Kibaale claiming ownership of land, and asking for their land tittles. He has appealed to government to process for them born occupants land tittles.
Balikurungi explains that the land wrangle started in 2003 when opening up the boundaries. In 2015, they had a meeting with alleged land owners, but they didn't have land tittle proving land ownership. In December 2017 the LC3 Pakanyi sub county intervened to solve the same issue, they failed to produce their land tittle when he asked for it, and the matter remained unsolved.
He also explains that on 23rd March, 2018, the then Masindi Residence District Commissioner intervened into the matter, and when he asked for their land tittle they failed to produce it and the meeting ended unfruitful.
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