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Uganda: Hoima Bishop in Land Row
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The Monitor (Kampala)
14 May 2008
Posted to the web 14 May 2008
Francis Mugerwa
Kampala
Residents of Kiganda Upper Local Council in Hoima are accusing the retired Bishop of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese, the Rev Wilson Nkuuna Turumanya, of grabbing a piece of land, an allegation he vehemently denies.
"It is unfortunate the bishop has turned communal land into his personal property, " the Kiganda Upper LCI chairperson, Ms Oliver Tibeita told jounalists on Sunday.
The stretch of land was reportedly being used for recreational purposes. Part of the disputed land was also being used as a service lane. It has a road connecting residential areas to Hoima town centre. Bishop Turumanya is reportedly constructing a house on the disputed land and has finalised fencing off the premises.
"He has fenced off the land and blocked the road. We are finding it hard to access our homes, " Ms Tibeita said. Ms Tibeita has petitioned the government to intervene in the dispute. The acting Hoima Town Clerk, Mr Charles Kinimi, said the town council had earlier invited Bishop Turumanya to attend a meeting aimed at resolving the conflict which he turned down.
The town council has consequently ordered Bishop Turumanya to halt undertaking more developments on the disputed land.
However, the bishop said the council's directive was null and void. Bishop Turumanya said he legally owns the land, has the relevant documents and any attempts to halt his activities are illegal.
Mr Kinimi said he had advised residents to file their petition to the district land board so that the "issue is handled at a higher level".
Bishop Turumanya avers that there are elements who want to foil his developmental plans and to grab his land.
"I'm going to sue Hoima town council," the Bishop told Daily Monitor in an interview on Monday.
He alleges that the town council connived with residents to trespass of his estate. He accused council authorities of sending a mob to his residence to intimidate him and conniving with the residents to dispossess "me of my property".
The bishop said he has an approved plan issued by Hoima Town Council dated November 26 2007 which authorise him to develop the plot. "I will continue building and after construction, guards will protect the structures," Bishop Turumanya said.
Irate residents have reportedly threatened to pull down the structures which they claim were illegally built.
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The bishop cautioned residents against threats saying seek legal redress.
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