Yesterday, police and military personnel fired live bullets and teargas to disperse crowds of evictees gathered at Lubigi Swamp to meet Mr. Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP).
Mr. Ssenyonyi, along with other MPs from the National Unity Platform (NUP), had organized the meeting to hear complaints from evictees whose houses were demolished by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The MPs included Ms. Betty Ethel Naluyima (Wakiso District Woman), Mr. Hannington Wakayima Musoke (Nansana Municipality), Ms. Helen Nakimuli (Kalangala Woman), Mr. Frank Kabuye (Kassanda South), and Mr. Muwada Nkunyingi (Kyaddondo East).
#### MPs Speak Out
Mr. Ssenyonyi condemned the evictions and the disruption of their peaceful engagement with the locals by security forces. “This is the place where we have been hearing outcries from local leaders and the affected people. We wanted to hear what the people are saying and understand the situation,” Mr. Ssenyonyi said, addressing journalists at NUP headquarters in Kampala. Residents had informed Mr. Ssenyonyi that NEMA did not engage them before the demolitions.
Mr. Ssenyonyi noted, “They have bought Kibanja, have titles, and some have been there for more than 40 years.” He criticized the government for exercising double standards by evicting civilians but leaving a police station and a fuel station in the wetland untouched.
#### Police and Government Response
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Mr. Luke Owoyesigyire, said NEMA had written to the Nansana Police Division Commander 21 days prior and involved the Inspector General of Government (IGP). “NEMA will decide whether to demolish or spare the police post, but if demolished, the area could become a death trap,” Mr. Owoyesigyire explained.
During a May 28 meeting led by Wakiso Resident District Commissioner Ms. Justine Mbabazi, NEMA Executive Director Mr. Barirega Akankwasah stated that demolitions would continue and advised those in the wetland to vacate immediately.
“It is problematic for the government to let people settle in an area for a long time and then demolish their homes. Where were they when these structures were being built?” Mr. Ssenyonyi questioned. He said their engagement with evictees aimed to gather facts before presenting the issues in Parliament.
On the disruption by security agencies, Mr. Ssenyonyi remarked, “This is unfortunate because as leaders, we were there to listen to the people, not to fight.”
Mr. Ssenyonyi mentioned he had spoken to Mr. Akankwasah to schedule a meeting with the victims and their leaders. “I’m happy he agreed because we don’t want him to issue orders from his office,” he said.
#### Local Leaders and Residents React
Area leaders, led by Ms. Naluyima, called for justice for those affected and appealed for government support for the homeless evictees. “We were frightened to see security officers shooting and using teargas, but we continue to demand justice for these people,” Ms. Naluyima said. Ms. Nakimuli echoed the call for government engagement with the alleged encroachers on the Lubigi wetland.
“If these people have been paying taxes, you don’t demolish their houses without notice; it is unfair,” she said. Mr. Kabuye added that the government’s actions could increase crime in the country.
Mr. Samuel Eyotre, a lawyer and Nansana Municipality chief mobilizer of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLAU), also criticized NEMA’s actions, stating that the matter should have been resolved in court.
#### Stories of Evictees
Ms. Ruth Namuddu, 69, a resident of Nansana West since 1996, was found sleeping in a makeshift tent during the Monday morning rain. She asked President Museveni to intervene.
“I borrowed money to set up rentals, and I’m still paying the loans, but now I have no source of income since the demolitions,” Ms. Namuddu said.
Ms. Odeth Mufasha, a widow with five children, said her 15 rentals and residential house were demolished. “I don’t have another source of income for school fees, but if we were in a wetland, why did utility companies connect us to services? We pay taxes; something must be done,” she said.
Ms. Dorothy Nankya, the Nabweru chairperson, said angry residents had stormed her home last Friday. “If the government serves all Ugandans equally, let NEMA stop the evictions and compensate those whose houses were demolished,” Ms. Nankya said.
