Police have used teargas to disperse residents of Kasokoso in Kira Municipality-Wakiso district who had gathered for consultative meetings with local leaders in regard to the pending NEMA evictions of wetland encroachers in this area.
The meeting in Kasokoso, was also attended by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago together with other Political Leaders from Kampala and Wakiso districts that included host area MP Ssemujju Nganda and Nakawa East MP, Hon. Ronald Balimwezo.
However, these were dispersed by the heavy deployment by Police and military officers on claim that they were not aware of such a meeting in the same place.
During the process, Ssemujju and other local leaders who were tempted to resist, were arrested, bundled on the patrol and driven back to his homes, as police engaged in running battles with residents resulting in arrests of some of the residents.
Ssemujju explained some of key issues affecting the residents that were meant to be discussed including the compensation process of Kampala-Jinja Express Highway to residents, Kireka Police barracks land in addition to the eviction threats.
This was a consultative meeting to listen to people, one of the issues they have about the police barracks land, where some people are still being evicted with no clear demarcations of barracks land. The second issue is on Jinja Express Highway, people were told not to develop their land fourteen years ago, but they haven’t been compensated. People are living a miserable life.” Ssemuju said.
He added: Another issue was about NEMA, in their mind, they think every low-land is a wetland. We want the gazette to understand the demarcations of these wetlands, so that our people can be helped. Unfortunately, the security has denied us from sitting down with our people and finding a solution. “Ssemujju noted before he was bundled on Police Patrol and driven back to his home.
The angry residents who condemned the impunity actions by security have called NEMA to explain the difference between a wetland and a lowland area, which they claim to be settling on.
Last month President Museveni backed NEMA’s wetland evictions and urged the wetland encroachers to voluntarily vacate the wetlands rather than playing blame games at environmental watchdogs. Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the leader’s message to the locals was calling them to come and demonstrate, which police couldn’t be allowed in the area.