Kasokoso residents and their leaders had it rough Wednesday morning, as security not only blocked a planned engagement but fired teargas to disperse the crowds.
The residents had gathered upon a call from their MPs Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda and Ronald Balimwezo and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to discuss matters impending eviction and land compensation issues.
But the security did not allow any of it to happen.
From the moment we got on ground, security officials both police and military had deployed heavily in Kasokoso, a Kampala suburb.
Kira Municipality Ssemujju and residents had gathered in a heated negotiation after they were blocked to access the planned venue for the meeting.
Shortly after Lord Mayor Lukwago arrived and attempted to reason with the police but that, too, did not help.
When negotiations failed, police resorted teargas.
Firing in the air and at the residents who immediately dispersed, Ssemujju and six others were hauled into police van and whisked away.
"We had planned engagement with the people, an impromptu one, because tomorrow we meet NEMA. There are issues pending eviction by NEMA and compensation," he said from inside the van.
The National Environment Management Authority NEMA has been enforcing eviction of dwellers from wetlands to restore the valued environmental segment of water catchment areas.
"NEMA Should be the last one talking about destruction of wetlands but if they are to do it, let then follow the right procedures and do it in a human way possible," he said.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Last month, the environment watchdog took down hundreds of households in Lubigi wetland and have served eviction notices to several other such dwellers, including in Bwaise.
But some leaders say the eviction is being done irregularly with Ssemujju focusing on the issue of compensation prior to displacement.
The leaders argue that authorities have exploited the unable Uganda at the expense of the law.
From inside the van, he spoke about these issues but that did not stop the police from driving him off at high speed straight to his home in Kirinya.
"The law has been violated," said Lukwago.
"When NEMA issues a restoration order within 21 days the affected person can file a petition committee is instituted and the case heard and judgment given."
