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The group allegedly illegally entered a 68-acre piece of land on Block 428, Plot 192 (formerly Plot 22) on January 21, 2025.
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By Our Reporter
Entebbe
Eight individuals have been arraigned before the Entebbe Magistrates Court on multiple charges related to land grabbing, including forcible entry, forcible detainer, malicious damage to property, and theft. The suspects have been remanded until February 28, 2025.
The accused, identified as Sserungaya Alex Mukisa, Kajubi Peter, Ddungu Henry, Nnaku Ramanthan, Kaweesi Godfrey, Ngesa Robert, Mukiibi Asuman, and Mugweri Joseph, were arrested following an operation by the Anti-Graft Special Handling Unit in collaboration with the Uganda Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Several other suspects remain at large.
According to prosecution reports, the group illegally entered a 68-acre piece of land on Block 428, Plot 192 (formerly Plot 22) on January 21, 2025. The land, owned by Professor Eleanor Maxine Ankrah, was vandalized, with the suspects destroying 18 acres of trees and crops and causing extensive property damage.
In the dock: Suspects facing the judge
Authorities state that the accused were acting under the directives of alleged bibanja (tenant) holders, including Lutaaya William, Nnalongo Kaita Bakumba Winfred, Kalenzo Edward, Osowa Anthony, and Robert Kayigwa. These tenants had previously entered into a consent agreement in the High Court, allowing them to be allocated 18 acres by the rightful owner.
However, before the land demarcation process could take place, a group led by Ssebagula Aaron—a former convict with a history of land grabbing and fraud—forcefully entered the property on February 8 and 9, 2025. They reportedly cut down trees and crops, selling them to unknown buyers.
Prompt action from Anti-Graft Special Handling Unit led to the arrest of some of the individuals involved, while investigations are ongoing to track down Ssebagula and his associates.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to addressing land-related crimes and ensuring justice for rightful landowners.
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