By Our Reporter
Five suspects were arraigned before the Gomba Chief Magistrates Court, accused of land grabbing and destruction of property. The suspects, identified as Nuwahereza Allan Katakanya, Mudenyi Gerald, Nabimanya David, Ssenoga Abdu, and Kisenyi Harunah, face charges including forcible entry, forcible detainer, destroying growing plants, and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor and a felony. The suspects have been remanded until November 19, 2024.
The case, led by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in coordination with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), follows allegations that the accused, along with others still at large, violently seized over 600 acres of land under the pretense of conducting a boundary opening. The land, located in Musongole village, Mpenja sub-county, Gomba District, is registered under Madhvani Group Limited, which has held title to the land since 1955.
According to initial reports, the accused individuals, using aggressive tactics, forcibly took possession of the property in September 2024. The invasion led to the destruction of extensive tea plantations and over 540 acres of natural forest.
Investigations are ongoing to determine how an overlapping title was created in October 2024 on land that has been registered to Madhvani Group for nearly 70 years. Authorities have indicated that any public officials or individuals implicated in facilitating this irregularity will face legal consequences.
Torch Media Africa
