Evicted Lusanja residents to be compensated

By Najib Mulema

Parliament has resolved to compensate Lusanja residents who were evicted from their land.

The motion moved by Masaka Municipality Member of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga on Wednesday seeks to task government to expedite investigations into the conduct of judiciary and police officers and other individuals involved in the illegal evictions, and bring the culprits to book.

“I would like to move a motion that government compensates the people of Lusanja and reinstates them and prosecutes all individuals and agencies involved in this illegal eviction,” said Mpuuga.

The legislator in his motion said that Attorney General William Byaruhanga had admitted that the eviction was issued by a magistrate who lacked jurisdiction to handle the matter and that it was executed without due diligence.

Mpuuga also called for provision of temporary shelter, food and water among other amenities to the evictees.

The Attorney General on Tuesday acknowledged that the civil suit filed at the Nabweru Chief Magistrate Court in January 2017 had been mishandled and the eviction was illegally conducted.

In her November 30 letter, Nabweru Chief Magistrate Esther Nasambu Nasambu apologized to Chief Justice Bart Katurebe saying the biggest mistake she made as a Magistrate was to depart from the rule of prudent practice that requires visiting the land in dispute before issuing such orders authorizing eviction of people.

“I humbly apologize and take this as a big lesson,” she said.

The eviction took place in October where 350 houses were demolished leaving over 550 people homeless.

It was executed by Bailiff Moses Kirunda of Spear Link Auctioneers & Court Bailiffs on the orders of city businessman Medard Kiconco who alleged that the disputed 9.6 acres of land belonged to him.

The move sparked public anger prompting President Yoweri Museveni to visit Lusanja where he condemned the judiciary for carrying out reckless decisions.