On September 4, 2025, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, pledged government intervention in the plight of more than 3,500 Kasese residents who have been camped at the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for over four months following eviction from their land.
“I am aware of the people in Kasese camped at the RDC’s office, and the government has been working to resettle them,” Dr. Baryomunsi told Parliament, responding to growing concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation.
The matter was brought before the House by Bukonjo West MP Atkins Katusabe, who painted a grim picture of starvation, illness, and violence among the displaced.
He cited the death of Stephen Mohindo Esenge, who succumbed to injuries at St. Paul Hospital after an alleged assault, and warned of further fatalities if urgent action is not taken.
On August 19, the Kasese District Security Committee ordered the displaced residents to vacate the RDC’s compound within 24 hours, citing hygiene and security risks. The residents, however, have refused to leave, insisting that State Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, fulfill his earlier pledge to resettle them within three months—a deadline that has not yet elapsed.
Progress has been slowed by bureaucratic hurdles, including litigation over two proposed resettlement sites and the transfer of a key deputy RDC. Local National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders have accused authorities of neglecting the victims and called on civil society to amplify their voices.
On September 3, the affected residents petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), accusing the Kasese RDC and the Attorney General’s office of human rights violations. The UHRC has since opened an investigation into the matter.
Dr. Baryomunsi assured Parliament that he would summon the RDC and engage the displaced residents directly to verify their grievances and push for a resolution.
“The government does not condone actions that undermine public peace, and appropriate measures will be taken,” he emphasized.
Speaker Anita Among commended MP Katusabe’s advocacy and urged legislators to guide their constituents on how to report abuses and seek justice, stressing the need to safeguard land rights.
For now, the displaced families remain in limbo, awaiting a government-led solution that could determine their future and set a precedent for handling land disputes in Uganda.
