Muntu pledges to end land row between locals, army

 Over the years, the army has been in wrangles with squatters whom it accuses of illegally settling on its land. In 2017, the Ministry of Defence issued a notice, instructing all encroachers to vacate the land with immediate effect.

While campaigning in the area on Tuesday, residents led by Mr Seif Ssekasamba and Mr Gresham Nkulanga told Gen Muntu that the Bbulakati land was initially owned by residents and some of them have titles but the government took it over.

“If you give me your  votes and I become the president, my government will look into that matter and establish the truth. If it is true that the land belongs to you, it will definitely revert to you,” he said amid cheers from ecstatic residents.

Looking back

Last year, Agriculture minister and also area MP Vincent Ssempijja said government had resolved the matter and residents who acquired plots on the disputed piece of land were free to utilise it .

“We had several meetings with the President and UPDF officials and we agreed that we allow all residents who encroached on this land to use it while the other remaining part be utilised by investors  to start up an industrial park,” Mr  Ssempijja said then. But  on Tuesday, Mr Edward Ssentongo, the chairperson Juma Cell where the disputed land is located, said the minister’s statement was a  political gimmick, insisting that  they will only be sure about their occupancy  on the land after receiving documents regularising their tenancy from the government.

Residents also requested the presidential candidate  to help them reopen three landing sites, including Kamuwunga, Bulingo and Kalangala, which the government closed over illegal fishing. They claim the landing sites were closed yet they were employing hundreds of youth who are currently jobless.

Gen Muntu reiterated that his government will restore discipline among security personnel and also ban the use of teargas to quell peaceful meetings and assemblies.

“I am the only presidential candidate who has the ability to take this country forward through building institutions and other things the current government has destroyed,” he said.

Before crossing to Kalungu, Gen Muntu campaigned in  the neighbouring Bukomansimbi District where he asked residents to help President Museveni retire by denying him votes  .

“We thought that he [Museveni] will voluntarily leave State House and allow the country have a peacefully transition. But since he failed to do that, it is you the voters to retire him by voting him out of power,” he said.