P Mwijukye recounts terrifying incident of being beaten over land dispute
In a harrowing account, Member of Parliament Francis Mwijukye has revealed the shocking details of his recent attack by hired goons in Buhweju District. The brutal incident, which left him with severe injuries, has sparked concerns over the escalating use of criminal gangs to resolve land disputes in Uganda.
“As I lie in deep pain at Nakasero Hospital, I pen this letter to the Uganda Police and other security agencies with hope that it becomes a stimulus for the protection of millions of suffering Ugandans due to land grabbing,” Mwijukye wrote in a statement.
Mwijukye, who represents Buhweju County and serves as Shadow Minister for Works and Transport, was attacked on May 12, 2024, at St. Jude, Rwanyamabale Catholic Church. He had been called to the church to intervene in a long-standing land dispute between the church and one Frank Kamugisha and his son Edwin, a lawyer.
“Being hit in the head with a panga and a stick with nails and you survive death is a miracle. Had it not been God’s grace, I would not be alive to tell this story,” Mwijukye recounted.
According to Mwijukye, the Kamugishas have been attempting to evict the church and local residents from the land, despite lacking any court orders. They have allegedly hired goons, known as “Kanyama,” to intimidate and terrorize the locals. These goons have been accused of beating up locals, raping young girls, and preventing people from accessing the church and their gardens.
“The said goons have terrorised the locals, beaten them up as they attempted to access the church, and they have even gone ahead to allegedly rape young girls on their way to school,” Mwijukye stated.
On the day of the attack, Mwijukye was beaten with a panga and a stick with nails, leaving him with severe head injuries. He was rescued by church members and taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
“If I had remained standing, my head would have been chopped into two pieces, and I would be dead, but because I was falling down, the panga reached me when its force had a bit reduced,” Mwijukye recalled.
The incident has raised questions about the role of the police in addressing land disputes. Mwijukye alleges that the police have been complicit in supporting the Kamugishas, despite their lack of legal grounds. He claims that the police have failed to arrest the goons, even when they were known to be terrorizing the locals.
“Police in Buhweju must explain to us why they are supporting land grabbers. My blood that has been shed in the hands of criminal gangs should be the last drop of blood to be shed in Buhweju over land matters,” Mwijukye demanded.
The incident has sparked outrage and concern over the increasing use of criminal gangs to resolve land disputes. Mwijukye’s attack has highlighted the vulnerability of ordinary citizens and the need for the state to protect its people from such violence.
“Has the state abandoned its mandate and handed it over to militias and paramilitaries? If an MP can be beaten and his head almost shattered by goons and nobody is arrested, what will happen to the ordinary citizen?” Mwijukye questioned.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for reform in Uganda’s land management and dispute resolution processes. As the country grapples with the challenges of rapid urbanization and development, it is clear that new solutions are needed to address the growing problem of land disputes and the violence that often accompanies them.
“We thought it was because of the high value of land, but also we thought the government was dealing with it. Now that they have descended in villages as deep as Buhweju where our people are too vulnerable, who will survive?” Mwijukye asked.
Mwijukye’s account has highlighted the urgent need for the government to address the growing problem of land grabbing and to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected. As Uganda continues to grapple with the challenges of development, it is clear that new solutions are needed to address the growing problem of land disputes and the violence that often accompanies them.
