Written By | Our Reporter
Ainebyona was found guilty of forcible entry, malicious damage, and assault causing actual bodily harm
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Kiboga
The Kiboga Magistrates Court has convicted and sentenced Ainebyona Ronald to one and a half years in prison or a fine of Shs3.5 million for his role in violent land evictions in Kiboga District.
Ainebyona was found guilty of forcible entry, malicious damage, and assault causing actual bodily harm. The court heard that on March 14, 2025, he forcefully seized land in Lwakonge Village, Kiboga District, violently evicting several occupants from land comprised in Block 542, Plot 2. During the incident, he reportedly destroyed crops and plantations and assaulted some of the residents.
The conviction follows investigations conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, acting on a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to the Head of Unit, Brig Gen Henry Isoke, to probe the criminal aspects of the matter. Other government offices, including the Ministry of Lands, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, were involved to ensure due process and enforcement of the law.
The case stems from a long-standing land dispute between a group of departed Asians, who hold a freehold title dating back to 1932, and Mwanje Badru, who acquired a mailo title over the same land in 1999. During the trial, Ainebyona claimed he was acting on behalf of the departed Asians when he carried out the evictions targeting Mwanje and other residents.
Court officials emphasized that regardless of land ownership disputes, individuals have no right to take the law into their own hands, noting that disputes must be resolved through lawful channels.
The ruling is seen as a warning against violent land evictions, a recurring problem in parts of the country, particularly where competing land claims exist.
Torch Media Africa
