President Museveni intervenes in Ndeeba Anglican Church land wrangles

President Yoweri Museveni ordered for the arrest of officers involved in the demolition of St Peter’s Church in Ndeeba, a statement from State House has confirmed.

More than 11 people including the Division Police Commander (DPC) Katwe, SP Epedu David and Kampala Capital City Authority KCCA’s Acting Director for physical Planning, Mr Katongole Ivan, were arrested today following the demolition of the Church building in Ndeeba whose land ownership has been under contestation.

According to a letter from State House Anti Corruption Unit, President Museveni received the news as the demolition was going on last night, and directed that all public officers involved must be held accountable.

Museveni has already directed for a thorough investigation into ownership of the land under dispute to ensure that justice is served.

According to the head of State House Anti corruption Unit, Lt. Col Edith Nakalema, preliminary investigations have established that the demolition was carried out from about 10:00PM on the night of 8th August, with the full knowledge of the DPC Katwe, OC Station Ndeeba Mugira Yeko, OC Field Force Unit(FFU)ASP Isabirye Karoli and all officers under them contrary to established procedures of the Judiciary, Ministry of Lands and Police.

Nakalema says she briefed the president about the matter and later informed the Inspector General of Police 9IGP), prompting the arrests.

KCCA’s Acting Director Mr Katongole is accused of issuing a demolition order during the lockdown due to covid-19 and he was arrested to aid the investigations. Nakalema says Katongole would have also known that the Church has been in existence for more than 45 years.

The statement also notes that the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Lands is also working on details regarding ownership and other transactions on the disputed land as investigations continue.