Nakasongola MP claims his phone was stolen at State House

Speaking to over 300 residents and local leaders at the event, Sekyanzi disclosed that he had gathered substantial evidence on land grabbing and wrangles in Budyebo Constituency and other parts of Nakasongola District, which he had stored electronically on his phone.

But the phone containing this critical information, he said, was stolen during a recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus meeting at State House, which was convened by the President.

"I always believed that State House was the safest place, but I was surprised when my treasured smartphone was stolen from me while attending the meeting," Sekyanzi said.

Budyebo County MP Bernard Kirya Sekyanzi pulse uganda

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The legislator said he was unsure how or when exactly the theft occurred. He added that while attending the meeting, he was confident his phone was in a secure environment but was shocked when it went missing.

The MP hinted at foul play, suggesting that the theft might have been orchestrated by individuals with vested interests in land grabbing.

However, Sekyanzi assured his constituents that the so-called “land-grabbing mafia” would not succeed in their efforts, despite the theft.

He explained that he had wisely kept a backup of all the information on a private flash drive securely stored in his bedroom. His revelation that a phone belonging to a Member of Parliament could be stolen at State House left many in the audience in disbelief.

The land baraza, which was organised to discuss and propose solutions to the widespread land disputes in Nakasongola, was attended by both local leaders and residents.

The session focused on a particular dispute involving 17 square miles of land covering Lwabiyata, Nabiswera, and Wabinyonyi Sub Counties. This land, previously managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA), was later allocated to landless people under a presidential directive. However, these settlers are now facing threats of eviction from powerful individuals, whom Sekyanzi referred to as members of a "wealthy and untouchable Mafia group."

The ongoing conflict pits a group of local residents led by Ausi Kizza against a faction consisting of Charles Okuru, Molly Auma, Janet Akello, Amos Mbazira, and Amos Matama, among others.

During the baraza, Minister Sam Mayanja proposed several ways to resolve the wrangle, with a focus on ensuring that those with legitimate claims are protected from unlawful evictions.