Lira, Uganda – The Minister of State for Lands, Hon. Sam Mayanja, has strongly condemned alleged police involvement in illegal land grabbing in Lira District, calling for urgent presidential intervention to address the growing crisis.
On February 19, 2025, Hon. Mayanja formally addressed a letter to Ms. Phiona Barungi, Senior Presidential Assistant for Special Duties, urging her to engage the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over reports of police-backed land grabbing.
The controversy centers around a piece of land legally allocated to Hon. Julius Acon, MP for Otuke East, by the Lira District Land Board.
Reports indicate that police officers have forcefully taken control of the property, arresting workers and confiscating construction materials despite clear legal documentation proving Acon’s ownership.
During a locus visit on February 13, 2025, Hon. Mayanja, alongside local officials, security teams, and land board representatives, assessed the situation.
At a public gathering, the Chairman of the Lira District Land Board confirmed that Acon’s acquisition followed due legal procedures.
Despite this confirmation, Hon. Acon disclosed disturbing details of abuse, revealing that he had been arrested at his own construction site, humiliated, and denied access to his property.
His workers were detained, and police reportedly seized all construction materials without any court order or legal justification.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Mayanja reaffirmed that public land is managed by District Land Boards under Article 240 of the Constitution, and their authority cannot be overridden by police or external forces.
He further emphasized that Acon’s land title was issued legally and is protected under Uganda’s property laws.
Hon. Mayanja ordered the immediate return of Hon. Acon’s confiscated property, the release of his workers, and an end to police interference.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Hon. Acon reported on February 19, 2025, that police had once again stormed his site, made new arrests, and destroyed land markers.
In response, Hon. Mayanja urged Ms. Phiona Barungi to escalate the matter, highlighting reports that a group, allegedly led by Alele Stephen, is working with police officers to illegally seize land in Lira District.
The unfolding events have triggered widespread concern, with many questioning the growing trend of police-backed land grabs in Uganda.
Community leaders, legal experts, and civil society organizations have called for urgent reforms to protect landowners from state-backed exploitation.
Mayanja has vowed to continue pursuing justice for the affected parties, emphasizing that no one is above the law, and illegal land seizures must come to an end.
While the government deliberates on this issue, affected communities remain hopeful for a resolution that will uphold justice and reinforce land ownership rights in Uganda.
Who’s this Obal
Who is this Alele Stephen? There should be a force bigger than him pushing him.
Hon Julius Acon is not alone. I am a victim too, having been offered a lease at former Gombola Lira site, and was in advanced stages of processing the title for Police to storm my plot and forcefully plant the security camera tower. Their alleged former occupation by LAP doesn’t hold water as they were tenants, not landlords.