UPDF Denies Unlawful Land Allocation Allegations in Hoima, Cites Security Deployment to Protect Bibanja Holders
KAMPALA – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed allegations that the Commander of the Field Artillery Division in Masindi, Maj. Gen. Daniel Kakono, engineered the unlawful allocation of land in Kapaapi, Kigorobya County, Hoima District.
In a press statement released on Saturday, Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, described the claims published in the Weekend Vision of September 26-27, 2026, as “misleading” and an attempt to cover up facts on the ground.
The newspaper story alleged that the family of the late Tito Byangire had petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in a land dispute involving over 2,400 acres. The dispute primarily involves the Byangire family and over 1,000 Bibanja holders (households), who are also Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in the Albertine Graben.
Background of the Conflict
The UPDF statement clarified that in early 2023, hundreds of bona fide Bibanja holders and PAPs were illegally evicted from their land by “greedy interest groups,” with the involvement of rogue elements within the security services. The statement noted that homes were torched, animals killed or looted, property lost, and several cases of rape and assault were reported to authorities. The army stated that these issues are being thoroughly reviewed and investigated, and all perpetrators will be brought to book.
According to the statement, in October 2025, following presidential directives, the then Minister of State for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja, directed that the evicted Bibanja holders and PAPs be resettled on their land. The Minister further asked security forces to protect the returnees.
Police Request for Military Support
Following the ministerial directive, the Hoima District Police Commander (DPC), through the District Security Committee (DSC) chaired by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), requested reinforcements from the UPDF to help secure the area, maintain calm, and prevent an outbreak of violence.
“The request for support from the Police in Hoima was granted by the UPDF, and Maj. Gen Daniel Kakono was accordingly cleared to deploy the military,” Col. Magezi stated.
The UPDF explained that due to ongoing simmering conflict and unresolved issues over the disputed land, the military continues to maintain its position in the area to secure the peace and prevent any outbreak of violence.
Army Defends General Kakono
In view of the foregoing, the UPDF maintained that Maj. Gen. Kakono continues to maintain a troop presence in the area with the knowledge and strategic directives of the government and the UPDF leadership.
The statement serves to exonerate the General from accusations of facilitating unlawful land allocation, framing the military’s presence as a peacekeeping measure requested by local authorities to protect vulnerable residents.
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