In yet another land wrangle, in Nakaseke District, an attack in which farm property worth billions of shillings was destroyed by yet-to-be-identified suspected arsonists occurred at a farm in Kito Sub-county on Sunday.
The blaze devastated property, including a tractor, bulldozer, wheel loader, and truck.
Authorities are investigating, and police are yet to make arrests in connection with the attack. Workers got injured and sustained bodily injuries in the attack.
Reports additionally claim that some of the attackers were masked and armed with machetes and clubs.
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“We were too scared when the attackers invaded the farm in the early morning hours. It was still very dark, and they told us to vacate as they set fire to more than 5 makeshift structures that contained our property,” one of the injured workers is quoted saying.
Savannah regional police spokesperson Sam Twineamazima confirmed the arson, saying detectives have since visited the crime scene with property losses estimated at Shs3 billion.
“The attackers set ablaze four structures: a wheel loader, tractor, bulldozer, and Pajero car, among other equipment. The attackers also looted engine fuel of unspecified quantity among other valuables. Our teams recorded statements as part of the investigation process,” he said.
The farm, located at Butibulongo Village in Kito Sub-county, is owned by commercial farmer Arnold Mayinja.
The farm equipment that was destroyed included machinery that had been hired to clear the more than 1-square-mile piece of land. Police deployed at the farm in the aftermath of the incident.
Mayinja says he has left police to carry out its investigations but vowed to find the persons behind the attack.
“The attack was planned. There is no doubt about that, but we are giving time to the investigators to do their work,” he added.
A local leader attributed the attack to a long-term unresolved land ownership dispute, and some Kito Parish residents reiterated the same, linking the attack to a long-term unresolved land ownership dispute between different parties.
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