Bushenyi,Uganda – Senior Presidential Assistant for Special Duties, Ms. Phionah Barungi, has re-affirmed the presidential directive against illegal land evictions, stopping the attempted eviction of hundreds of families in Kahungye Parish, Nyabubaare Sub-county, Bushenyi District.
Ms. Barungi was speaking on Wednesday, 16th September 2026, to residents from six cells – Kahungye 1, Kahungye 2, Nkuna 1, Nkuna 2, Kiyagara 1 and Kitojo 2 – who were on the verge of being evicted by individuals brandishing alleged State House letters.
According to Ms. Barungi, the letters, purportedly signed by Ms. Kiconco Flora, were forged.
“This is not her signature and it indicates ‘PP’ meaning someone signed on her behalf. We work in the same office and I know her very well. I have dismissed these letters. No one has the authority to evict you from your land,” she said.
She reminded residents that under the law, a person who has occupied kibanja for 12 years and above has full ownership rights and cannot be evicted, a position supported by President Museveni’s anti-eviction directive.
“We cannot let our people suffer. You the people of Bushenyi overwhelmingly supported President Museveni with over 82%. We cannot neglect you. Be calm, no one will evict you from this land because we are behind you,” Barungi said.
She commended Bushenyi Deputy RDC, Mr. Williams Donanto Katsigazi, and the Office of the National Chairman Coordinator for Greater Bushenyi, Ms. Kansiime Peace Tibigwisa, for bringing the matter to her attention.
Responding to a concern raised by Ms. Kansiime about judicial officers issuing eviction orders without visiting disputed land, Ms. Barungi said she would forward the matter to the Chief Justice and, where necessary, to President Yoweri Museveni for intervention.
Deputy RDC Katsigazi said no eviction can be implemented without review and approval by the District Security Committee, and warned against land grabbing in the district.
According to documents accessed by this publication, members of Karama Deep Tank Farmers Association had petitioned the President claiming the land belongs to them and that one Mr. Kitutu Enock had refused to vacate despite a court judgment of 22nd December 2021.
However, local leaders and family members of the late Kifaaka, including Eldard Kakooza and Faith Kikunduma, said Kitutu Enock legally bought the land their father had inherited from their grandfather, Mr. Ndyanabo.
LC1 Chairpersons from the affected cells – including Israel Muhanguzi, Steven Bagiraobwira, Eli Maziima and Eridadi Muhanguzi – said they were relieved by the intervention, noting that land grabbing has become rampant in the area.
Ms. Barungi, who is known for leading high-profile interventions in land disputes across Mbale, Luwero, Mbarara and Ntungamo, said her office will continue working with the Ministry of Lands to verify documents and protect vulnerable citizens from fraudulent evictions.
