Bruno Serunkuma a father of nine who has lived in Mulimira Zone for over 17 years is one of the 300 families that will be affected by the eviction of the squatters on the 4 acres of land belonging to the Law Development Center, LDC in the Kampala suburb of Bukoto. “The objective of buying that land was to expand LDC teaching facilities.” Said, Hamis Ddungu – Administrator Law Development Center. Serunkuma who bought this land in 2000 said at that time he was not aware that the land belonged to the LDC and he didn’t know where to start from given the development he had made on the land. “The person who sold to me never told me the land had any encumbrance. I have lived for a long time and I have set up many projects. All this property belongs to me. This is my goats’ project. That goat is 4 months, at months I sell it at 200,000.” He valued his property at 2 million shillings and as such needed to be compensated. “If I am paid at least Shs 200m, then I can leave fully satisfied.” Said, Serunkuma.

Serunkuma’s neighbor Ben Lubega himself, a father of 13 children was another person whose livelihood was likely to be affected by the eviction. He owned several rental rooms and he couldn’t imagine losing over 2 million shillings he was earning from them every month. “I earn Shs 2,700,000 per month from these rentals. I pay school fees for my children and have some balance for myself.” Many of the residents in Mulimira Zone believed that the land on which they live belonged to LDC but they were against the eviction and would instead prefer LDC to sell the land to them. “We know the land belongs to LDC but they should have given us first priority to buy.” The Administration of LDC engaged the Law firm Imran & Co. Advocates led by Lawrence Kisekka to begin the process that will lead to the eviction of residents. The Law firm already opened boundaries of the area and convened a meeting with affected residents to update them on the developments. “We have full instructions to see the land is evaced, so we came back today to inform them the demarcations of the land.” Said, Lawrence Kisekka – LDC Lawyer. The residents were asked to prepare for the valuation of their property as they prepared to leave the land. “The valuers are going to come, take photographs and all details of all residents.” Said, Lawrence Kisekka – LDC Lawyer. Leaders intervened and suggested that independent valuers be involved in the exercise to avoid under valuation of people’s properties by LDC valuers. The Law firm insisted that the valuation was supposed to be done by the government valuer. “You should allow us for purposes of satisfaction, we carry out an independent valuation.” Said, Kenneth Okello – LC5 Councilor, Nakawa II. “That compensation must be fair and adequate.” Said, Michael Kabaziguruka – MP Nakawa. “It’s the government valuer who carries out the valuation process.” Police warned the residents against listening to the people who might want to incite them into resisting the eviction, they vowed to keep the situation calm and ensure a peaceful eviction. “We must see that the needy are compensated fairly.” “If there is need of compensating the squatters on the land or evicting them? All that will be the decision of the management committee.”