By Weswa Ronnie
BULAMBULI
People who were tortured by police officers and goons allegedly hired by Mudimi Wamakuyu Nyasio, MP Elgon County in Bulambuli district have accused the area police commanders of being used by the MP.
In a meeting held yesterday, 7th April 2022 convened over land conflicts at Bunambutye sub county head offices, the victims said they now want Julius Sakwa the OC Bunambutye police station and his CID, Robert Wabuyi transferred.
The affected residents are from three sub counties of Bunambutye, Bwikhonge and Bumufuni in Bulambuli district.
They revealed this during a security meeting about land conflicts which was held at Bunambutye sub county head offices.
Over 4000 people from three sub counties in Bulambuli district claim that their plots of land have been grabbed by Mudimi.
According to locals, last week goons hired by Mudimi armed with sticks, stones, bricks and escorted by police got them cultivating their land and straightway started beating them claiming they were digging in Mudimi’s land.
Robert Mutambo, one of the victims from Bunambutye Sub County who was shot in the leg by police officers while digging at his garden last week blamed police of not keeping law and order but are instead protecting the MP whom he accuses of grabbing their land.
He adds that he acquired that plot of land from his father who died in 1997 but wonders how Mudimi now claims ownership.
Mutambo blamed Sakwa the OC for commanding the police officer to shoot him and goons to beat up people who were cultivating in their gardens.
Clad Judith from Bumufuni sub county also accused Mudimi of forging documents because he has money grabbing their over 2000 hectares of land.
She adds that they have moved to all necessary offices in the country to get assistance but they have failed since Mudimi has money.
They urged the concerned authorities to transfer the two police officers and have others brought to work with them to fight land grabbing in the area.
However, Sam Etom, the Elgon region police CID who represented the Region Police Commander asked locals to go to court in order to get justice with their documents proving that they own the plots of land.
He urged locals to remain calm saying that they will carry out investigations on the conduct of their officers saying if found guilty as alleged, they will be penalized since nobody is above the law.
Meanwhile, Mudimi when contacted refuted the claims of torturing residents using goons.
He adds that he has all documents proving ownership of the land saying that anybody with evidence to prove that the plot of land is not his can go to court.
