Luwunga Chairman Arraigned Over Land Grabbing, Gang-Related Crimes in Mukono

Luwunga Chairman Arraigned Over Land Grabbing, Gang-Related Crimes in Mukono

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested and charged two men accused of using violence and intimidation to seize land and terrorise residents in Mukono District.

The Luwunga Village chairman, Muwonge Muhammed, and his alleged accomplice, Ssozi Abdalla, have been arraigned before the Mukono Magistrates Court over alleged land-related crimes and other offences.

The two were brought before Grade One Magistrate Joy Kebirungi by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Gen Henry Isoke, and charged with eight offences, including theft, destruction of food and attempted unlawful acquisition of land.

They denied all the charges and were remanded to Kawuga Prison until August 26, 2026.

Their arrest followed a security meeting held in Luwunga Village, Nama Sub-county, Mukono District, involving local security authorities and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

The operation was reportedly aimed at dismantling criminal gangs allegedly hired to intimidate residents and facilitate illegal land acquisition.

According to alleged victims, a group reportedly led by Muwonge had taken control of about 311.5 acres of land belonging to the Kiwanuka Joseph Bulimu Musenze family.

Residents accused members of the group of assaulting people found using the land, destroying crops and property and creating insecurity in the area.

Several residents and alleged victims who attended the court proceedings described what they called brutal acts by the group, locally referred to as the “Bafakinyi” group, which is alleged to operate in parts of Nama and neighbouring areas.

The victims welcomed the arrests, saying the intervention by the government and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit had provided relief to residents who had allegedly faced intimidation over the disputed land.

Kiwanuka Stella Bernadette, speaking on behalf of the Kiwanuka Joseph family, thanked President Yoweri Museveni, the Anti-Corruption Unit and the police for intervening.

“On behalf of the Kiwanuka Joseph family, I want to thank President Yoweri Museveni, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the police for their intervention and for arresting the suspects. We are grateful that action has finally been taken.”

Stella alleged that members of the group had destroyed property worth millions of shillings on the disputed land, including crops and houses.

She further alleged that the suspects consumed residents’ food, demolished homes, subdivided portions of the land and began selling plots.

State House Anti-Corruption Unit spokesperson Natasha Mariam, speaking by telephone, urged residents to report suspected criminal gangs and land-related abuses to authorities.

She said several other alleged members of the group remain at large but would be arrested and brought before court if investigations establish their involvement in criminal activities.

“Several other alleged members of the group are still at large, but they will be arrested and brought before courts of law once investigations establish their involvement in criminal activities,” she said.