Teargas as Police Blocks Lusanja Evictees from Marching to Parliament

Police on Monday morning fired teargas to disperse a group of Lusaanja residents who were holding a procession to Parliament to deliver a petition to the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga over their illegal eviction.

The residents petitioned the Speaker to come to their rescue after a man known as Medard Kiconco demolished their houses in Farm Zone, Lusanja in Gayaza and forcefully displaced them. The land allegedly acquired by Kiconco measures 9.5 acres. The incident which occurred a month ago prompted President Yoweri Museveni to visit the area where he gave assurance that nobody would encroach on their property.

However, the angered residents on Monday said that the assurances given by the President have not yielded anything, which is why they now seek the intervention of Parliament.

The group holding placards and tree branches moved from Lusanja heading to the Kampala Central Business District, but were blocked by Police officers at Katale zone in Kyebando.

They kept chanting “We need houses not tents”. When the protesters failed to heed to the call by the armed security personnel, what followed was firing of tear gas canisters which forced the group to disintegrate.

One of the residents who was among those walking to Parliament told reporters; “Our peoblem is the government not solving our problems. They are just sitting there.”

“And Lusanja is down. We are grieving, children are suffering, no toilets,” he added.

Troubles of the affected residents began on October 12 this year when men working for Kiconco, a business man and proprietor of engineering firm, Leximan Ltd, who claims to be the rightful owner of the land razed down the houses that were home to over 200 people. Buildings were all brought to the ground by the men who were being protected by Police, leaving the occupants and children to leave in makeshift tents.

The residents claim the land was leased to them by a one Namasole Bagalayaze the mother of Kabaka Mwanga, who owned a vast farm on the land. Contention remains on what terms both claimants (evictees and Kiconco) acquired the property.