The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abbas Byakagaba, has initiated a major reform aimed at tackling land-related crimes, by carving off the Land Protection Unit from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) and moving it under the Directorate of Legal and Human Rights, SpyReports has learned.
The move, which has left many within law enforcement circles and the public alike in deep discussion, is seen as a strategic effort to bolster the fight against land grabbing and ensure that land disputes are handled both legally and fairly.
IGP Byakagaba appointed Commissioner of Police (CP) James Kusemererwa as the head of the restructured Land Protection Unit, with Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Musani Sabila serving as Deputy.
An inside source from the IGP’s office explained that, “The curving off of the Land Department from CID is to enhance its capacity to address the legal, operational, and criminal aspects of land-related conflicts.”
According to sources close to the matter, President Museveni had previously warned IGP Byakagaba about “mafias” exploiting CID officers to illegally grab land, causing widespread tension among affected communities. It is alleged that in several cases, expired court orders were used to forcibly evict landowners, undermining public trust in law enforcement.
To curb such malpractice, police will now require all eviction court orders to be verified and authorized by legal officers before any action is taken. “It is now clear that any court order must be vetted and authorized by police legal officers before eviction is conducted,” a senior source at Naguru Police Headquarters said.
This reform follows recent high-profile land conflicts, including a case in Kiboga where a wealthy tycoon allegedly evicted residents without legitimate documentation. President Museveni himself intervened after it was revealed that police had been misled into supporting the tycoon’s unlawful claims.
With the Land Protection Unit now under the Legal and Human Rights Directorate, headed by AIGP Counsel Charles Kataratambi, the police hope to restore public confidence and ensure that land disputes are handled with strict adherence to the law.
