Rukiga: Vendors Worry as MP Caroline Kamusiime, Husband Move to Fence Rushebeya Market Land

Rushebeya Market that is under contention

Vendors at Rushebeya Market in Rukiga District are gripped by uncertainty following the move by outgoing Woman Member of Parliament Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi and her husband, Andrew Muhwezi, to fence off the disputed market land.

Traders operating in Rushebeya Trading Centre say they have been left in panic after reports that Andrew Muhwezi spent the Easter weekend moving from stall to stall, warning vendors and shopkeepers to vacate the premises as the couple prepares to take possession of the land.

Many vendors, some of whom have operated from the market for years, say they were not given formal notice and are unsure where to relocate.

The developments have sparked fresh controversy, with sources alleging that the land was irregularly acquired and that the couple may have been working in collusion with local government officials—claims that remain unverified.

Further allegations suggest the land could have been targeted for government compensation. Hon. Kamusiime has previously petitioned for compensation over the same land at various public forums, including events attended by President Yoweri Museveni.

Critics now question the circumstances under which the land changed hands, arguing that the transaction raises concerns about possible abuse of public office and loss of public assets.

The dispute traces back to 2015 when Rwamucucu Sub-county lost a civil case to businessman David Gakyaro over the illegal felling of trees. After partial payment of court-awarded damages, Gakyaro secured a court order attaching the market land—reportedly after local officials failed to contest the matter in court.

It is during this process that the land is said to have been acquired by private buyers, now identified as the Muhwezi couple.

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Tensions over the land are not new. In 2017, attempts to survey and fence the land sparked protests from residents, who clashed with individuals deployed to demarcate the area.

The matter was later raised before the Justice Bamugemereire Land Inquiry by former Rukiga MP Herbert Kabafunzaki, who called for investigations into the ownership and legality of the transaction. However, residents say no conclusive action has been taken to resolve the dispute.

With the latest move to fence the land, pressure is mounting on authorities, including the Ministry of Local Government, the Inspector General of Police, and the Inspector General of Government, to intervene and establish the legality of the ownership while protecting affected vendors.

By press time, associates of the Muhwezi family were reportedly on site overseeing fencing activities.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Hon. Kamusiime were unsuccessful as her known contacts were unavailable, while her husband did not respond to calls.