Legal Limbo: Rubanda Elderly Woman Faces Eviction as Vital Ruling Disappears, Sparks Suspicions of Foul Play

(L) 80-year-old Sikora Kokyenga (R) Marriam Mwiza, Executive Director of Overseas Workers Voice Uganda Addressing Media on the issue in Rubanda District. Photo By Obed Kankiriho

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RUBANDA – An 80-year-old woman, Sikora Kokyenga, residing in Kandiihe village, Nyaruhanga parish, Ikumba Sub County, Rubanda District, is gripped by the fear of losing her 25-acre land to unscrupulous land grabbers, signaling an imminent eviction.

Kokyenga recently faced a setback when the ruling file that granted her full rights mysteriously vanished from the office of the Kabale High Court, resulting in her losing a case against her nephew, Furugence Kanyamugara.

Originally victorious in a legal dispute against businessman Rozio Sebugwaho Ntare in 2005, Kokyenga enlisted Kanyamugara as her witness after her biological brother, Deziderio Karasani, passed away. However, in 2016, Kanyamugara turned against her, leading to a legal battle in the Kabale Chief Magistrates Court. Despite Kokyenga’s efforts to present the missing ruling as evidence, she was unsuccessful, leaving her on the brink of eviction.

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***Residents led by Sikora Kokyenga, Marriam Mwiza, Executive Director of Overseas Workers Voice Uganda touring the Land. Photo By Obed Kankiriho***

A letter from Kabale High Court, dated July 25, 2023, and signed by Assistant Registrar Henry Twinomuhwezi, revealed that the file might have gone missing during the court’s relocation from Makanga Hill to Kikungiri Hill in February 2017. Despite Kokyenga’s explanation, the then Kabale Chief Magistrate, Gordon Muhimbise, ruled in favor of Kanyamugara, ordering her eviction and imposing a fine of five million shillings.

CUE IN KOKYENGA…..ON CASE….RR//

Local residents, including Neema Cleophas, George Zarukyire, and Peter Rumanzi, shed light on the land saga, asserting that Kokyenga inherited the land from her late parents, Maragarita Biragura, and Lauben Mugorora.

CUE IN RESIDENTS…ON THE LAND….RR//

Expressing suspicions of foul play, Marriam Mwiza, Executive Director of Overseas Workers Voice Uganda, alleges that the Kabale High Court may have influenced Kanyamugara to conceal the ruling, impeding Kokyenga’s rightful claim to the land.

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***(M) Ms Marriam Mwiza, Executive Director of Overseas Workers Voice Uganda. Photo By Obed Kankiriho***

Mwiza also raises concerns about the involvement of Beitwenda and Company Advocates, the same law firm that previously represented Kokyenga, in Kanyamugara’s case, which she contends violates legal regulations.

CUE IN MWIZA….ON APPEAL…LUG/ENG//

Dan Beitwenda, a lawyer from Beitwenda and Company Advocates, denies having represented Kokyenga before in a case involving this land. However, he elucidates his knowledge of Kokyenga and the case.

CUE IN COUNSEL BEITWENDA…ON THE MATTER….RR/ENG//

***Residents touring Sikora Kokyenga’s 25 Acre Land. Photo By Obed Kankiriho***

Ereemye Mawanda, the Judiciary Communications Officer, asserts that misplacing files goes against their policy and assures that efforts are underway to investigate the matter. Responding to inquiries about the absence of online access to rulings in Kabale, Mawanda explains that the online system is currently limited to certain regions, excluding Kabale.

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CUE IN MAWANDA….ON THE MATTER….ENG//

Fearing imminent eviction, Kokyenga pleads for government intervention and urges the Kabale High Court to expedite efforts in locating the missing file. As legal battles and suspicions intensify, the elderly woman’s future hangs in uncertainty, awaiting justice and the restoration of her rightful ownership.