By URN
More than 2,000 residents who were violently evicted from their ancestral land in Kiganja and Kapapi sub-counties, Hoima District, remain stranded and suffering as they are blocked from returning home. The evictees, mainly cultivators and pastoralists, were forced out of Waaki North, Kapapi Central, Waaki South, Runga, and Kiryatete villages in February 2023 by police officers backed by private guards. The contested land measures about five square miles.
During the eviction, over 50 homes were torched and livestock, including cows and goats, were killed. The residents accuse Hoima businessman, Moses Asiimwe, of conniving with security forces to grab their land. Asiimwe reportedly leased it for 49 years to Brigadier General Peter Nabasa Akankunda.
Since then, some families have sought refuge at Rwenyana Gospel Church in Kapapi, while others live in makeshift shelters on land provided by relatives and well-wishers. In February 22, 2023, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba visited the area and ordered the residents back to their land, saying they had been evicted without a court order and at night, in violation of the law. She directed security officials to protect the residents and withdraw private guards.
Days later, however, when residents tried to return, they were blocked by UPDF soldiers deployed on the land. On July 15, 2025, State Minister for Lands Dr. Sam Mayanja also visited the area and ordered the Hoima District Security Committee to ensure the residents returned home, stressing that their eviction was unlawful. But on July 16, when the residents attempted to reoccupy their land, they were again stopped and chased away by soldiers and police. John Ochuwun, 77, said, “We attempted to go back to our land, but we were intercepted and chased away by soldiers deployed to guard the land.” He appealed to President Museveni to intervene, saying he has nothing to depend on after being thrown off his land.
Salvator Okumu, 75, said, “I was brutally evicted together with my family members. Our houses were burnt, soldiers destroyed our crops, and killed animals.” Now living in a makeshift shelter, he says he cannot afford school fees for his children. Annet Kirabo, another victim, explained, “Apart from returning us to our land, the government promised to deliver food relief immediately after our eviction, but to date, nothing has been delivered, yet we are being denied the opportunity to access our land.”
Julius Akanjuna, a Kapapi resident, wondered why the government had failed to resolve the issue despite sending ministers, including the Prime Minister. “Currently, the area is a no-go zone to us, yet we are the genuine owners of the land,” he said.
Stephen Karungu, evicted from Runga landing site, questioned why the RDC’s office has not implemented ministerial directives. Margret Mirimo from Waaki village said, “It is unfortunate that we have become refugees in our country. Our living status is at stake.”
Kapapi LC V councilor, Chris Bahemurwaki, noted that the situation is beyond their control. “The evictees are in total suffering. After the minister’s intervention, people thought peace would return to the area, but the situation is intolerable.” Kigorobya County MP, David Karubanga, said they are engaging both the Lands and Defense ministries.
“We want to know who deployed soldiers on the land even after the minister ordered that residents return to their homes,” he explained. Hoima RDC, Rogers Mbabzi, told URN that they are waiting for written directives. “The Minister is yet to give us written directives that we can base on to take back the evicted residents. Mayanja only issued a verbal communication to the residents, which we cannot dwell on,” Mbabzi said.
