By Ronnie Weswa
MBALE CITY
Police of Industrial City Division in Mbale City is in a serious fight with the Mbale District Local Government over ownership of half an acre of land.
In a video widely circulating in the Media, the Mbale Industrial City Division Police Commander, Denis Pahani was seen in a bitter exchange with Vice LC5 Chairperson Mbale District, Tonny Wamagale over a land dispute.
This came after police deployed on April 24, 2023 to repossess the facilities formerly owned by the local administration.
The land stretches is located opposite Mbale district offices near Masaba Cultural Institution in Malukhu Ward, Industrial City Division in Mbale City.
According to Rogers Taitika, the Elgon region police spokesperson, police wanted to displace all people who have occupied the land in question and repossess it since they have the titles.
He adds that since police officers who were staying and operating there from the 1980s were integrated to Mbale central police station in 2003, they left everything there including buildings.
The police Mouthpiece says police surprised that people have occupied the land doing carrying out agricultural activities and all the structures they left have been occupied.
Taitika also says that it looks very absurd for Mbale district local government to claim ownership of that land after getting information that police wants to displace people who have occupied it.
However, Tom Musungu, the Mbale District Communication Officer says the land belongs to Mbale district local government because they have titles.
He adds that police officers were just given that plot of land by the district to do security work and help its officers to collect graduated tax those days.
Tonny Wamakale, the Mbale District LCV Vice Chairperson has said that police cannot claim ownership of that land because it was just given to them to operate from.
