President Yoweri Museveni has intervened in a land dispute in Kiboga District, ordering the arrest of Patrick Ainebyona and his group for illegally evicting a landowner.
The dispute involves 640 acres in Lwankonge village, Kiboga East, contested between a group of departed Asians and Badiru Mwanje. Presidential Advisor on Police Affairs, Susan Kasingye, briefed the President on the case, describing it as one of double titling, unlawful eviction, and uncoordinated enforcement.
“Ainebyona, claiming to represent the departed Asians, took over the land without a court ruling or a boundary report,” Kasingye said. “He then involved the police, who sought advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). However, before the case was resolved, Ainebyona and his group evicted Mwanje.”
President Museveni condemned the eviction, calling it illegal. “Who decides the rightful owner of the land? It is the Court,” he said. “Even if I had not issued a directive in 2022 banning illegal evictions, this action was unlawful.”
He criticized Ainebyona for taking the law into his own hands. “Even as President, I do not have the power to evict anyone. There are legal channels for land disputes, including the Lands Ministry and the courts,” he added.
Museveni ordered the immediate arrest of Ainebyona and his group for trespassing and directed that Mwanje be reinstated on the land while investigations continue. He also instructed the Inspector General of Police to deploy officers to enforce his directive.
The Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, confirmed that the land was first registered in 1932 under Chikamchadi Shaar Limited as freehold and later repossessed in 1992. She also acknowledged the inconsistencies in the land records. “Mwanje’s title appears in the system but is not linked to the parcel, requiring further verification,” she noted.
State Minister for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja, described the eviction as a “total disregard of the law,” while DPP Jane Frances Abodo stated that her office was awaiting a survey report to clarify the contested plots.
Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, said Ainebyona could face multiple charges, including forcible entry, criminal trespass, malicious damage, theft, and assault.
Kiboga East MP Keefa Kiwanuka recounted how Ainebyona assaulted him during the eviction, only realizing later that he was the area legislator.
Lwankonge LC1 Chairperson Ham Kizza thanked President Museveni for resolving the dispute, saying local leaders had previously failed to reach a solution.
