The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba has directed security agencies to investigate the illegal eviction of hundreds of residents of Kapaapi village in Hoima district.

On Saturday 18th February 2022, at least 490 people from 31 families who are mostly cultivators and pastoralists were forcefully evicted by the police and private security guards. The land is claimed by a group of businessmen. 

The minister, alongside a team from the State House Anti-corruption Unit and police CID detectives, visited the contested land to assess the situation.

The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba, officials from the State House Anti-corruption Unit, and CID detectives rushed to Kapaapi village following an outcry from residents in the villages of Waaki North, Kapapi Central, Waaki South, and Kiryatete all in Kapapi and Kiganja sub-counties in Hoima district. A forceful eviction had left more than 30 houses burnt and more than 10 people arrested.

The minister later addressed residents at Rukora Primary school. The Hoima district Chairperson, Kadiri Kirundi, said that residents in more than 18 villages including Lendu, Nyamirima, and Katerega have been threatened with eviction.

Kadiri and James Kiriti, a former Resident District Commissioner of Kyankwanzi blamed the regional police for causing all the injustices.

Anthony Komakech and other residents also accused security operatives of conniving with their tormentors.

Some of the victims say they lost property worth millions during the forceful eviction.

The minister has formed a mediation committee to mediate two parties and she also directed security to ensure that locals go back to the land.

The minister also ordered security to release all people who were picked up by security during the eviction and their whereabouts are still unknown.

The minister pledged that the lands ministry will draft a master plan to help resolve land disputes in Bunyoro and Buganda regions.

The residents are feuding with different land title owners who include, including Moses Asiimwe, Ndahura Gafayo, Astoni Muhwezi, David Mpora, Monica Rwashadika, and Wilber Kiiza.

The disputed land titles which cover part of the Kapapi and Kiganja sub-counties measure 925 hectares and 1,030 hectares respectively.

None of the claimants of the land attended the meeting.