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A new report by Witness Radio Uganda has revealed that a staggering 363,021 Ugandans were displaced due to forced land evictions between January and June 2024.

The document highlights 90 separate cases of land evictions during this period, with nearly four incidents occurring each week. These evictions affected more than 15,000 individuals and threatened to seize 5,060 hectares of land across the country.

Regional Breakdown of Evictions

The report shows that the Central region was the hardest hit, with 52 cases of forced evictions, while the Western region recorded 24 cases. The Northern and Eastern regions followed with eight and six cases, respectively.

Alarmingly, the report estimates that an average of 2,160 Ugandans are evicted every day, with 723 hectares of land at risk of illegal seizure daily.

Despite assurances from the government and President Museveni’s directives to halt forced evictions, land grabbers have largely ignored these orders. The evictions have often been violent, with armed security forces, private militias, and police reportedly carrying out the majority of the actions.

Of the 90 cases documented, 37 involved armed gangs working on behalf of evictors, 25 were carried out by the Uganda Police Force, five by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers, and four were executed by private security companies.

Jeff Wokulira Ssebaggala, the country director of Witness Radio Uganda, condemned the lack of accountability, calling it a violation of human rights.

“The egregious levels of impunity exhibited by land grabbers have left communities defenceless, creating an environment where their human rights are trampled without consequence,” he stated.

He further urged the government to take stronger action against the influential individuals and entities behind the illegal evictions, warning that the unchecked power of these parties leaves marginalised communities without recourse.

Ssebaggala emphasized that industrialization must balance economic development with the protection of smallholder farmers’ rights to land and food security.

TRAGIC STORIES

The report highlighted harrowing cases that underscore the human toll of forced evictions. In Nakasongola, smallholder farmer Dan Ssebyala was ambushed and killed by armed men following a confrontation over disputed land. The district has become a hotspot for violent evictions involving absentee landlords and powerful investors.

Ismael Bwowe, a disabled father of 20, recounted how his land was confiscated after he demanded fair compensation. He faced intimidation, arrests and false charges from state authorities, including being accused of robbing an influential individual. Bwowe claimed that Total Energies offered legal support and representation on the condition that he accept their compensation terms.

“I refused,” he said, adding that the pressure to relinquish his land remains intense. The report underscores the urgent need for reforms to address forced evictions, ensure accountability, and protect the rights of vulnerable communities. Without meaningful intervention, Uganda risks deepening inequality and undermining the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who are essential to the country’s food security.

FAMILY JAILED AMID LAND DISPUTE

The plight of Richard Ssebagala, his wife Prossy Namande, and their relative Anania Ngabirano, residents of Kabubu-Kabongo village in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district, highlights the human toll of Uganda’s ongoing land disputes. The family spent nine months in prison following their arrest on January 10, 2024, under controversial circumstances.

ARREST AND ALLEGATIONS

The arrests occurred at 1am, during a raid by officers from Luweero police station. Police reportedly banged on the doors and forcefully detained the family, accusing them of aggravated robbery. However, the family believes the arrest was a tactic linked to a land dispute with Benon Ntambi, a man who allegedly grabbed their land

Before the arrests, Ntambi had reportedly destroyed crops, including tomatoes, potatoes, and bananas, on the contested land. While the family was incarcerated, a new building was constructed on their land, which is now occupied, raising further questions about the motivations behind their detention.

CALLS FOR JUSTICE

The case has drawn attention from Witness Radio Uganda, which has urged the government to take immediate action to address land grabbing and illegal evictions. The organization emphasized the need to strengthen land laws and protect vulnerable communities from abuses.

It also called for greater accountability in institutions such as the Uganda Police Force, the army and land registries, which are often accused of corruption and favoritism toward the wealthy.

“The government must prioritize justice for victims of illegal evictions and address systemic corruption that leaves the poor defenceless against land grabbers,” Witness Radio Uganda stated.

BROADER CONTEXT

This case underscores the broader issue of land conflicts in Uganda, where vulnerable families are often caught in disputes with powerful individuals or entities. Advocacy groups warn that the failure to address these issues not only erodes public trust but also perpetuates inequality and injustice.

As the government faces mounting pressure to act, the story of Ssebagala and his family serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reforms to protect land rights and ensure justice for those impacted by land disputes.

Root Causes: Industrialisation and Land-Based Investments

The report points to industrialisation and land-based investments as the primary drivers of these forced evictions. Increasingly, land is being targeted for oil and gas extraction, mining, agribusiness, and tree plantations, all for carbon offset schemes.

While some of these lands are already under development, others remain vacant but heavily guarded by military personnel and private security firms.

The government’s push for large-scale investments in these sectors has exacerbated the problem, leading to mass displacement and social unrest. Local communities, who have lived on these lands for generations, are often powerless in the face of such powerful commercial and political forces.

The findings call for a re-evaluation of the government’s development agenda, with a stronger focus on protecting the rights of the citizens who are directly affected by these investments.

There is a growing need for legal reforms that prioritise the protection of indigenous land rights and provide displaced individuals with adequate compensation and resettlement options.