More than 500 residents living in Nsowe Forest Reserve in Maddu, have expressed anger over what they describe as continued mistreatment by alleged security operatives deployed in the area.
The complaints follow a recent attack on George Tumusiime, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson of Kalusiima village. Tumusiime told reporters that he was beaten by security personnel without explanation.
Speaking from his home where he was found bedridden, Tumusiime accused the operatives of repeatedly assaulting residents over the long standing land dispute in the forest reserve.
“I am tired of these security operatives. They have beaten my people several times over the forest reserve land. President Museveni gave residents a go ahead to return, but nothing much has been done,” Tumusiime said.
Residents say the situation has worsened in recent weeks, with security operatives allegedly terrorising families, forcing some to flee their homes.
The contested land lies within Nsowe Forest Reserve and affects several villages, including Kalusiima LC1, Kalyamawulolu LC1, Kyagambe LC1 and neighbouring areas.
Tumusiime is not the only victim. Several other residents were reportedly attacked days earlier, seriously beaten and left nursing injuries.
The residents accuse several government officials of being behind the evictions. They allege that the officials acquired large chunks of land inside the forest reserve.
Residents further claim that after repeated beatings and harassment by security officers, some personnel were transferred from the camps and replaced with others, but the abuses continued.
In response, the Gomba RDC Robert Katende dismissed the accusations, saying the named officials acquired the land legally.
Katende said that several years ago, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) advertised in newspapers, inviting eligible individuals to apply for forest restoration in Nsowe Forest Reserve.
“Some people were granted permission to restore the forest, but instead they planted eucalyptus,” Katende said.
He confirmed that President Museveni later issued a directive allowing former occupants to return to the land. According to Katende, some residents received up to 25 acres each, while others did not receive any land.
On allegations of beatings and harassment, Katende urged residents to work with his office to resolve the matter peacefully.
One of the major challenges, he said, is that some residents returned to find their land already taken over by government, a situation he admitted is difficult to reverse.
