Displaced Ssembabule Residents Return to Disputed Land After Three Years Amid Tension

Ssembabule, Uganda: Tension remains high in parts of Ssembabule District after a group of residents who were displaced during a long-running land conflict returned to occupy the contested land nearly three years after their eviction.

The returning families, many of whom had been living in temporary settlements and depending on relatives for survival, say harsh living conditions and the absence of a permanent resettlement plan pushed them to reclaim what they describe as their ancestral land.

On arrival, several households began putting up makeshift shelters and reopening gardens in a bid to restore their livelihoods.

Local leaders confirmed the reoccupation but cautioned that the land dispute remains unresolved, raising fears of renewed clashes between rival claimants.

Individuals claiming legal ownership have reportedly opposed the move, insisting that the matter is still before relevant authorities and warning against what they describe as illegal occupation.

Security personnel have since been deployed in parts of the area to monitor the situation and prevent violence. Authorities say their priority is to maintain law and order while encouraging all parties to remain calm and allow ongoing mediation and legal processes to continue.

Community elders and civil society actors have urged the government to expedite mediation efforts, warning that prolonged land conflicts often lead to displacement, humanitarian hardship, and insecurity. District officials are expected to convene meetings with stakeholders in an attempt to find a lasting solution and prevent further escalation.

Residents who returned say they are determined to remain on the land despite uncertainty, arguing that they have no alternative homes or sustainable means of survival elsewhere.