Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an immediate end to the illegal land evictions of Banyarwanda.
Museveni, who addressed a news conference over the weekend at State House, Entebbe, said Banyarwanda have the right to own land anywhere in Uganda.

"They have the right to buy and own land. They should get land by buying. Nobody can come and say you have bought land and because you are a Munyarwanda you have no right,” Museveni said.

"Banyarwanda are part of Uganda. They are listed among the tribes of Uganda,” he added.

Recently, some Uganda communities especially in Buganda, Acholi, Lango and Bunyoro sub-regions started harassing Banyarwanda claiming the latter belonged to a different nationality –Rwandan – and therefore were not entitled to owning land, a major resource for development.

But Museveni said after the colonialists gazetted borders – between Uganda and Rwanda – annexing a large area occupied by Banyarwanda to Uganda, the inhabitants subsequently became Ugandans and therefore deserved equal treatment and benefits like any other Ugandan citizen.

A charged Museveni, who was responding to Buganda’s criticism that Balaalo (a term used to describe Banyarwanda and Bahima herdsmen), issued a stern warning against anymore evictions that contradict the 1998 Land Act.

"Those involved in land evictions will be dealt with. We are going to fight them. Whoever gets involved in the evictions will be punished under the law,” he said.

The Ugandan government is currently reviewing the land law, which Museveni said would enhance the relationship between the landlords and tenants occupying mailo land especially in Buganda, Ankole and Tooro sub regions that are prominently occupied by Banyarwanda.

"We are simply regulating the relationship between the landlords and the tenants. We are not saying landlords should lose ownership, or that tenants should lose tenancy,” Museveni said.

In the 2007 Land Bill, which has been approved by Cabinet but yet to be table before parliament for debate, government suggests that tenants should only be evicted after failing to pay land rent (busuulu).

The government has also proposed that in a situation a landlord intends to sell off his/her land (ownership), tenants should be given priority.

In addition, Museveni said tenants should only be evicted by a court order. Even when a land dispute is before court, the tenants should stay on the land until court has ruled against the tenants, he added.

"These poor people once evicted keep moving up and down. We are saying they should stay on the land until court resolves the land disputes,” Museveni said.

He blasted cultural and traditional leaders whom he accused of inciting the public against him and his government. He said unscrupulous people were using the traditional leaders to mislead the public on land issues.

He also warned them against being partisan and political contrary to the 1993 law that established the cultural institutions.

He said: "It has been decided that these traditional rulers should not engage into politics. Mengo (Buganda’s administration) disrespects parliament. They have contempt for systems.

"They know parliament exists but they choose to use the media because they are liars. Those people saying Museveni is stealing their land…….where do they get those things (allegations).”

He added: "Those making rallies to discredit government are trying to incite people against NRM (the ruling party). We shall get those people legally. Nobody is above the law.”

Ends