Amolatar, Uganda | Hundreds of residents of Namasale Town Council, Kioga Constituency in Amolatar District, on Tuesday 2 September 2025, staged a mass protest over what they described as attempts by Katusabe Juliet to grab community land.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Francis Okello Odoki Rwotlonyo, warned that Katusabe would be arrested if she attempts to set foot in Amolatar.
He directed the District Police Commander (DPC) to enforce her immediate arrest should she enter the district.
The conflict stems from a 90-acre piece of land in Bung Cell, Namasale Town.
A letter dated 21 August 2025, signed by Resty Nakayenga Kiguli, Senior Presidential Advisor on Underprivileged and Youth Affairs, revealed that Katusabe petitioned President Yoweri Museveni, claiming her family of over 50 members are the rightful owners of the land.
According to the petition, Katusabe’s family lived on the land for years but fled to Namika village in Nakasongola during the 1986 liberation war.
In their absence, local chairman Okello Moses reportedly occupied the land.
Katusabe accuses him of seizing the property illegally and using it as a burial ground for the family of the late Kaweki Nafutali.
Katusabe further alleges that Okello has threatened her life to prevent her from repossessing the land.
Kioga Constituency Member of Parliament, Junior Moses Okot Bitek, told residents that land is the only asset the Lango people depend on, declaring that he is ready to die defending it.
He explained that land can only be acquired in four legitimate ways and dismissed Katusabe’s claim as fraudulent.
District Chairperson Geoffrey Ocen linked the dispute to the recent discovery of minerals in Amolatar, alleging that Katusabe and her associates planned to evict residents and sell the land for profit.
He warned that such a scheme would only succeed “after all of us are killed.”
The chairperson of the Lango community in Namasale, Yapi CP, went further, warning that Katusabe would face deadly consequences if she tries to grab land in the area.
Community members also demanded the transfer of the Officer in Charge (OC) of Namasale police station, accusing him of colluding with Katusabe.
Community leader Akite Ester echoed the sentiments of many, insisting that “land is life” and residents would not back down from protecting it.
In response to the residents’ complaints, RDC Rwotlonyo ordered an investigation into the OC of Namasale police.
He assured the community that if wrongdoing was proven, the officer would be disciplined or transferred.
The dispute has left Namasale on edge, with local leaders and residents vowing to resist any attempt to take their land.