By Leilah Bbaale
A 93-year-old man and his family members have petitioned of Kikuube Resident District Commissioner Amlan Tumusiime seeking his innervation into a land wrangle they are embroiled in with Prince Pastor Steven Kyebambe.

Anatori Giriyitima, a resident of Kachungiro village in Kinogozi parish, Buhimba Sub County, Kikuube district claims that he acquired the land during his youthful time in the 1940’s.

He accuses pastor Kyebambe of illegally grabbing his 64 acres of land where he has stayed with his family for over 70 years.

According to him, Kyabambe used his influence and canceled a title which he acquired from Hoima district land board. He noted that his troubles started in 2013 when Kyebambe started claiming ownership of his land.
Giriyitima said he had a farm and family house on this land but Kyebambe with the help of police harassed his family and end up evicting them from the land.

Janepher Kaahwa 36, a granddaughter to the old man says they lost their family home and other property adding they are now living in misery. She says that they have moved to different offices including court they have not helped them and demanded government to listen to their cries.

However pastor Kyebambe denied the claims of grabbing Giriyitima’s land saying that in 2013 he was given powers of attorney by Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom Dr. Solomon Iguru to develop and secure all the investment on the land.

He says that the land measuring 250 acres is an ancestral land adding that Giriyitima had encroached on the land and processed a title illegally.

In 2013, Giriyitma filed a case against the pastor iover the land at Hoima Chief Magistrate’s Court but lost. He appealed at Masindi High Court and lost again.

Meanwhile, RDC Tumusiime has promised to summon the pastor and find means of settling the dispute.