Army officers, Taremwa sued over land grabbing
Monday March 04 2019
Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) alongside the Electoral Commission spokesperson, Mr Jotham Taremwa, and a dozen others have been sued for allegedly grabbing chunks of land on government ranches despite a court restraining order.
Maj David Tibamanya and Brig Chris Kazoora are accused of grabbing Nshaara government ranch land, which covers 27 square miles, and stocking about 60 head of cattle on it.
“The acts of Maj Tibamanya, Mr Jotham Taremwa and Brig Chris Kazoora jointly and/or severally taking vacant possession of and causing survey of part of public land comprised in Nshaara ranch measuring approximately 5sq miles, Kiruhura District and jointly stocking thereon approximately 60 head of cattle is violation and/or in contempt of the orders of the court issued on January 24, 2019,” a petitioner states in the court documents.
Others are Godfrey Katebarirwe, Wycliff Kashemeza Rwakiringo, Eric Rutahigwa, Sam Kabeende, Emmanuel Kamihingo, Emmanuel Bugingo, Barnabas Nuwamanya Tinkamanyire, Sam Okweta (farm manager of Nshaara ranch), Will Byabagambi (senior staff surveyor Mbarara Mzo), Abeeki Farm, Banuti Ranchers, National Animal Genetic Resources Centre & Data Bank and its executive director.
The suit was instituted by Mr Frank Kanduho, a lawyer, on February 12 before the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala.
On January 24, 2018, Justice Andrew Bashaija issued an order restraining the respondents (accused parties) from parcelling out any part of the government farm/ranches to anyone.
The ranches that court prohibited the respondents from interfering with are Nshaara, Maruzi, Ruhengyere, Aswa, Njeru, Lusenke, Nakyesesa and Entebbe livestock experiment stations.