By Spy Uganda
It’s a moment of relief for people of Hoima where the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba yesterday stopped an illegal eviction of over 500 people from a controversial 2,545 acre land.
The eviction started on February 10, in the villages of Waaki North, Kapapi Central, Waaki South and Kiryatete.
The residents say they have occupied the land since the 1960s whereas a one Gafayo Ndahura the ‘evictor’ claims to have bought the land in 2008 and residents have since denied him access thus forcefully evicting them.
The Hon Minister however trashed Gafayo’s move and ordered that the affected residents be allowed back on this land until investigations are concluded.
“The exercise of eviction was done illegally, there was no court order and it was at night which means the exercise was illegal and these people currently have nowhere to stay; they are just moving around. I have visited the area and realised that their plots can be identified- I have directed the security committee that these people return to the land.”
For those that were arrested, the minister directed that the matter be followed up and secure court bail for them. She promised that the affected residents would in the meantime get food relief from the ministry in charge of Bunyoro affairs.
In February last year, the affected residents dragged the duo to Masindi High Court and up to now the court has not given any ruling.
