By: Ismael Kasooha

KYANKWANZI

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has halted the eviction of thousands of people who have allegedly been occupying land belonging to the National Forest Authority in Kyankwanzi District.

The President, through the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, on Tuesday met the affected communities in 13 sub counties where she delivered the directive.

“The President has directed that all evictions by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) be halted and the people continue occupying the land,” said Nabbanja.

he Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja addressing residents of Ntweetwe Town Council in Kyankwanzi District

The Forest Reserves and affected Sub-counties in Kyankwanzi District include Tala Forest Reserve where the sub counties of Gayaza, Kisala, Muwangi and Kitabona are located.

In Luwunga Forest Reserve, the affected sub counties are Ntwetwe Town Council, Wattuba, Mulagi, Nkandwa and part of Kitabona while in Kikonda Forest Reserve, the affected sub counties are Nsambya, Kigando, Bananywa and Ntunda Town council.

The residents claim that they have been living on the alleged forest land on the orders of the former President Idi Amin dada since the 1970’s.

“We settled here way back in 1978 on the orders of the then President Idi Amin Dadda and several boundary opening activities have never affected us until recently in 2018 when we were told that we are in a central forest reserve,” said one of the residents.

However, the President cautioned the affected communities to stop fresh encroachment on the forest land of Taala Forest Reserve, Luwunga and Kikandwa.

I have convened this meeting on the directive of H.E. the President, which demonstrates his firm commitment to resolving any outstanding issues relating to your land in Kiyuuni and Kyereere villages, Ntwetwe County.

Joy residents after the President halted the eviction of over 4000 families in Kyankwanzi District.

“I have convened this meeting on the directive of H.E. the President, which demonstrates his firm commitment to resolving any outstanding issues relating to your land in Kiyuuni and Kyereere villages, Ntwetwe County. My presence here today is yet another sign of the Government’s commitment to resolving any remaining issues and restoring you to your land,” said Nabbanja.

However, officials from the National Forest Authority informed the Prime Minister that they had acted on court order to have the residents out of forest land.

The Prime Minister appointed a committee to study the long standing land wrangle and ensure that those who were evicted earlier are also compensated.

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