Hannington Rugongeza, the Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO) for Butiaba Town Council, has been arrested and detained at Buliisa District Police Station. His arrest, ordered by Lands State Minister Sam Mayanja on August 8, 2024, follows allegations of his involvement in land grabbing.
Rugongeza’s arrest came after residents accused him of colluding with land grabbers in Butiaba town council. The accusations were made during a visit by Minister Mayanja and Assistant Presidential Advisor Phionah Barungi to Boma and Watembo villages. The visit aimed to address a land dispute between local residents and tycoon Kaahwa Francis.
According to Barungi, the GISO’s alleged involvement in land grabbing was particularly shocking given his role as a government officer expected to protect local residents. Barungi emphasized that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government cannot tolerate such misconduct and demanded immediate action.
Minister Mayanja expressed deep concern over the harassment of residents by the tycoon, allegedly with the GISO’s assistance. He ordered the police to locate and arrest Kaahwa Francis for allegedly processing an illegal land title, harassing residents, and forcibly entering their land. Mayanja also directed the police to arrest Rugongeza for interrogation and to investigate other individuals involved in land conflicts in the district.
The minister assured residents that the President had halted all evictions of people from their customary land and Bibanja holders. The arrest of Rugongeza was met with relief by the residents, who celebrated the action taken against what they saw as unlawful eviction threats.
Deo Takimanye, the LC1 chairperson of Watembo village, stated that residents had long occupied the communal land but were now facing threats of eviction from individuals with no prior connection to the area.
Tycoon Kaahwa Francis, when contacted, denied the allegations. He called the claims baseless and aimed at damaging his reputation. Kaahwa insisted he is a law-abiding citizen and stated that the matter is currently in court, urging residents to await the court’s decision.
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