BY MATHIUS KAHUNGU
High Court at Kasese has fixed June 8th, 2026 as the date to hear further evidence in the Kyabatukura land claim that was filed against Uganda wildlife Authority-UWA.
In 2009, Luka Kiiza and others filed a claim before the High court arguing that his family and over 482 others were deprived of their land in 1952 when government was opening boundaries to accommodate Kibale National Park and Ibuga Government Prison.
Kiiza and his fellow claimants are also seeking compensation for some of their property that they lost during the eviction which apparently was executed between 2001 and 2009, with many of their houses also set ablaze.
Counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr Geoffrey Mishele from Spero Advocates, presented two witnesses including Hon. Joseph Kule Muranga the former Rwenzururu Kingdom Prime Minister who is also a former area Member of Parliament who appeared via zoom and Mr. Charles Kambere who an Agricultural officer who did evaluation of the damaged property.
The duo yesterday appeared Kasese resident judge Justice Lawrence Tweyanze.
Counsel Mishele disclosed that the Suit land which measures approximately 4 Square miles is found in Kyabatukura village in Kitswamba Sub-county and allegedly belonged to over 482 families who were allegedly displaced by the eviction. Part of that land also hosts a government installation in Ibuga Government Prison Farm.
However, defense Counsel Ibrahim Abubaker from the Uganda wildlife Authority Legal Department told the media that they are ready to prove true government ownership of the land whose other part also stretches into Kibale National Park which was gazzetted in 1952.
ENDS.