State House steps into 37-year Isingiro land feud after decades of violence
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State House has intervened in a 37-year-old land conflict in Isingiro District that has produced fatal violence, military involvement and failed court battles, directing that the disputed boundaries be reopened and the parties brought together.
State House has intervened in a bitter 37-year-old land conflict in Isingiro District that has spanned decades of legal battles, alleged land grabbing, military involvement and fatal violence, in an effort to bring a resolution where courts and local security organs have failed.
The dispute, centred in Kyempara Cell, Kahungye Village, Kabingo Sub-county, involves the family of the late Philip Rubakare and that of Fred Rusisi. It traces its origins to 1989, when the Rusisi family allegedly grabbed four acres of land belonging to the Rubakare family. In 2004 the Rubakare family took Mr Rusisi to the Kabingo LCIII Court over what it described as fraudulent acquisition; the court ruled in its favour in 2010, after which the family allegedly used the ruling to grab 100 acres belonging to Mr Rusisi.
The feud turned deadly on 4 April 2018 when members of the Rubakare family attacked the home of Fred Rusisi. According to police reports, two daughters of the late Rubakare were killed in the clash, and several people were arrested, charged and are serving sentences. A report dated 3 November 2021 by the Isingiro District Crime Intelligence Officer, Alvin Arinaitwe, warned that the feud posed a severe and ongoing threat to public safety and called on the leadership of the Uganda People's Defence Forces to restrain personnel involved in the dispute.
In a directive dated 19 August 2026, Flora Kiconco, writing on behalf of the Principal Private Secretary to the President, instructed the Resident District Commissioner of Isingiro to intervene and direct that the boundaries of the disputed land be opened to establish the portion fraudulently sold by Bazeyaka Fredrick to Rusiisi Fred. Replying on 24 August 2026, RDC Adah Nasiima told State House that earlier mediation attempts had stalled due to non-compliance and external interference, that demarcations had been removed, and named UPDF Sergeant Moses Rwankore as a problem.
A delegation from the State House Legal Department convened a locus meeting on 17 September 2026 with community members, local leaders and security officials. A State House legal officer told residents that sufficient information had been gathered from both parties, the community and local leaders, and urged restraint. Ms Nasiima said local leaders were confident the conflict would be resolved, while the State Minister for Animal Industry and MP for Isingiro North, Bright Rwamirama, said he was hopeful of a permanent solution with State House involvement.