LAND SAGA: GUN MEN EVICT TOP NRA BUSH WAR HERO LT. KISITU EPHRAIM’S CHILDREN, RUN TO MUSEVENI

PHOTO: President Museveni, Ronald Magunda (Heir) and Lt. Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo (late)

● Kisitu lost 300 heards of Cattle and banana plantations during the NRA bush guerrilla war. His land is also being grabbed! Sad!
● Family accuses former Administrators of their father’s estate Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Alice Terukanya and Harriet Nalubwama for being in bed with land grabbers

STORY BY MEDDIE KITYO
BUYALA, MPIGI DISTRICT
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA 

CHILDREN of former NRA bush war hero Lt. Ephraim Kisitu Ssalongo headed by the heir Ronald Magunda are in tears and helpless, after a group of merciless gunmen and stick-welding men raided them at night and evicted them from their late father’s land measuring 56 acres at Namwabula, Buyala, Mawokota in Mpigi district.
Lt. Kisitu died just seven years ago leaving chunks of land and other properties to cater for his children after losing over 300 herds of cattle and banana plantations during a guerilla war which brought the ruling government into power.
It’s unfortunate that the children of such a war hero are now homeless as the family property is forcefully grabbed by those who claim to be untouchable soldiers, It’s sad!
Lt. Kisitu’s children have cried out to President Museveni for help asking the Head of State to prevail against land grabbers who are posturing with what they call a fake special land title to grab their father’s land without even a court order.
Family is suspecting Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Alice Terukanya and Harriet Nalubwama the former Administrators of their father’s estate to be in bed with these land grabbers.
In fact when our senior editor called Kenneth Mayambala on the way forward after the grabbing of this land, he lied that he was in a meeting and promised to call back, which he didn’t do.

When we called John Kaweesa, he arrogantly ordered our editor to back-off as if this clique was hiding something from Kisitu’s other children. Is there a conspiracy with the land grabbers?

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For starters, Letters of Administration that had been granted to Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Harriet Nalubwama and Alice Terukanya were revoked by court after Kisitu’s children cited fraud in the way Mayambala and his colleagues handled their father’s estate. We shall come back to this later! 
In their petition to the Commander Armed Forces, the heir Ronald Magunda says, the gang which attacked them cut trees, slaughtered Lt. Kisitu’s goats, roasted meat and there after started fencing off this land claiming to be the rightful owners. This happened in the night of Sunday October 2, 2022. 
The Petition is signed by the three widows; Ms. Sarah Nanziri Kisitu (Kiwumu), Ms. Betty Nakayita Kisitu (Bulaga) and Betty Nakato Kisitu (Lwankonge-Ssingo) and their children; Ronald Magunda, David Mayanja, Milly Nakamya, Immaculate Nangendo Meeme, Juliet Nantaba, Henry Ssebwalunnyo, Ronald Kalumba, Robert Nagaya, Denis Kaggwa, Samuel Kalasana, Jimmy Kizza, Derrick Muwanga, Joyce Namusoke, Harriet Nanteza, and the two last borns Brian Saabwe and Phiona Teruggwa who are still students but lack school fees!

IN THE FATEFUL NIGHT
Our investigations team was told, these men who were numbering up to 50, armed with machetes and guns, raided this place and started destroying whatever was found on the land, beating up whoever was present and ordering them to leave saying, “We are soldiers, we are taking over this land, better run for your dear lives”.
When we reached David Mayanja, one of late Kisitu’s son he told us, “Part of it was farm land and we had over 40 cows and goats left by our dad. They chased away the herdsman and animals got scattered.”

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Mayanja rushed to Buyala Police post to report the matter and on visiting the locus, OC Buyala found the panga welding men threatening to kill Kisitu’s widow Betty Nakayita and some of Lt. Kisitu’s children; Samuel Kalasana, Juliet Nantaba, Immaculate Nangendo Meeme, Betty Nakayita, Ronald Kalumba, Henry Ssebwannyo, Dennis Kaggwa and Brian Ssaabwe who had come to stop the illegal evictions.

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Presenting a copy of the said land title, children told Police that their late father bought this land in 2000, about 22 years ago, from Bakaluba Matayo.
On his demise in September 25, 2015, the land title was on October 29, 2018 transferred from Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo to Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Alice Terukanya and Harriet Nalubwama who were the Administrators then of the estate of late Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo. 
Kisitu’s children appointed the five as Administrators on March 20, 2017, two years after the death of their father.
This leading investigative News Website has learnt that, Kisitu’s children have never made any transaction on their father’s land.
So they wanted police to arrest the attackers who had raided and evicted them from their father’s land. The attackers vowed that no one on earth can make them to leave. 
We are reliably Informed, when OC Buyala called his bosses for re-enforcement, he was instead directed to return to his office and leave because matters of that land were above him. As soon as OC Buyala had left, other police officers said to be attached to Nakirebe police post arrived and instead of arresting the attackers, Kisitu’s son, Ronald Kalumba was handcuffed. A motorcycle owned by Dennis Kaggwa, another of Kisitu’s son was also confistated by these police men leaving the attackers at large. 
This prompted the family to report the matter to CID Headquarters Kibuli, and the Commandant Land protection unit Mr. Olara Johnson directed OC CID Mpigi to investigate the matter. Children however suspect that there is foul play at Mpigi Police since some officers are playing hide and seek!
They had to first petition the office of NRA bush war veterans that RDC Mpigi Sempala Kigozi intervened.

RDC SEMPALA KIGOZI CALLS FOR A MEETING
On October 11, 2022, Mpigi District RDC Sempala Kigozi wrote to The Chairperson LC 1 Buyala Village and to other 11 children of the late Kisitu over land dispute on Kibanja at Buyala Namwabula Village, Kirengete Subcounty. 
In his letter which was copied to DISO Mpigi, DPC Mpigi, Police Land Protection Unit, The LC III Chairperson Kiringente Subcounty and to the Area GISO, RDC Sempala Kigozi said his office received a petition from David Mayanja and Jimmy Kizza on behalf of other family members of late Ephraim Kisitu that a one Willy Ssenabulya claims ownership of their land and that title was changed from the former Administrators (Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Harriet Nalubwama and Alice Terukanya).
RDC Kigozi’s letter calling for a meeting read, “The purpose of this communication therefore is to invite you for fact finding and mediation meeting with all relevant documents scheduled to take place at my office on October 21, 2022 at 10:00am. By copy of this letter, all activities like sub-divisions, transactions and new developments have been halted with immediate effect until this matter has been resolved to the core.” 
However, the meeting didn’t take place as planned,  RDC Kigozi decided to visit the locus and was so much saddened with what he found on ground!

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Kigozi stopped all the activities until investigations are done. A one Bosco was arrested on site and trucks carrying wood from cut trees were apprehended.
A case of Criminal Trespass and Malicious damage on file number REF: SD 50/03/10/22 was opened up against Willy Ssennabulya, Nakiku and Bosco. The three are accused by David Mayanja, on behalf of Lt. Kisitu’s Children.
Shockingly,  a police officer by the names of Bazibu who worked on the file, later informed Kisitu’s family how State had closed the file of a one Bosco who was arrested by RDC and truck given back to the owner!

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Until today, attackers are still at large, they are still cutting trees, and the rightful owners can’t access their land!  
We are reliably informed, children have petitioned President Museveni, Speaker Parliament of Uganda and the State House Anti Corruption Unit among others.

ABOUT LATE LT. EPHRAIM KISITU SSALONGO & HIS TIES WITH MUSEVENI
Born on January 25, 1935, Kisitu had 38 Children and four wives.
According to an introductory letter written on June 5, 1986 by Gen. Elly Tumwine then Army Commander NRA, Lt. Kisitu was a leading member of NRA/M and a senior political leader.

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Just last year, President Museveni and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces appointed him to the rank of Lieutenant.
“I, reposing a special trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct do by these present, constitute and appoint you to be an Officer on regular service in the Defence Forces of Uganda.” Reads August 15, 2021 Warrant of Appointment, Regular Commission in the 59th year of Uganda’s Independence.

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The President of Uganda said, “RO/16518 Ephraim Kisitu Ssalongo you are therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge your duty as such in the rank of Lieutenant or in such other rank as the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) may from time to time, hereafter be pleased to promote or appoint you to and you are in accordance with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act 2005 and regulations made therein and in such manner on such occasions as may be prescribed by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Council; to exercise in a well-disciplined manner, duties in command of such officers, men and women as may be placed under your orders from time to time and use your best endeavors to keep them in good order and discpline; and I do hereby Command them to obey you as their Superior Officer and you to observe and follow such Orders and Directives as from time to time you shall receive from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Council or any of your Superior Officers according to Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you.”

WHEN MAYAMBALA & 4 OTHERS WERE GRANTED LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION 
On March 20, 2017 Her Worship Jane F.B Kiggundu, judge of the High Court of Uganda, made known that Letters of Administration of the property and credits of the estate of the late Ephraim Kisitu Ssalongo, formerly a resident of Bbira, Bulaga, Wakiso district were granted to Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Harriet Nalubwama and Alice Terukanya. The five are children of the late Kisitu.
The above children were mandated to administer the estate of their late father, and make a fully inventory of the said properties and credits and exhibit the same in this court within six months from the date of the grant or within such further time as court may from time to time appoint and also to render to this court a true account of the said property and credits within one year from the same date or within such further to, as court may from time to time appoint.

COMPLAINT AGAINST ADMINISTRATORS
Just after two years, on April 24, 2019, The Registrar, High Court, Family Division in Makindye Kampala received a complaint from the family of fallen Lt. Ephraim Kisitu Ssalongo led by Juliet Nantaba, Derrick Muwanga, Dennis Kaggwa, Immaculate Meeme Nangendo and 13 others against the Administrators in Administration Cause No. 1782 of 2016, Estate of the late Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo. 
For starters, Lt. Kisitu survived with 38 (Thirty Eight) Children and of these, children selected among themselves five to be granted with the Letters of Administration for the Estate of Late Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo. 
The five selected were; Kenneth Mayambala (Chairman), John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Harriet Nalubwama and Alice Terukanya.

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However, Kisitu’s family informed The Registrar High Court how they had reservations about the Administrators with the way they conduct their business in regard to the following;
● The Administrators were abusing their powers by selling off some of the Estate’s property without the knowledge and consent of the beneficiaries.
● The Administrators had never convened any family meeting concerning the Estate of the late Ephraim Kisitu Ssalongo.
● There was no accountability to the beneficiaries and children of the deceased.
● The Administrators were not taking care of the sick children of the late Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo.
● Non-declaration of the income and income generating assets of the Estate.
● Failed to file an inventory in court.
“Since we are many, we need more transparency as a family to have order and calmness in the family. For the above reasons, we request for your intervention in our matter and call all the parties; the Administrators and all the beneficiaries to the Estate of the late Ephraim Kisitu Ssalongo, for mediation and further directions so as the Administrators do not overstep their authority.” Reads the letter from the children of late Kisitu to the Registrar High Court.
They believed that the conduct of the Administrators is wanting and might lead to serious problems.
The letter was signed by Juliet Nantaba, Derrick Muwanga, Dennis Kaggwa, Immaculate Meeme Nangendo and other children of late Ephraim Kisitu.

‘DEAL WITH MAYAMBALA, KAWEESA, MIVULE, NALUBWAMA & TERUKANYA AT YOUR OWN RISK’, COURT THROWS THEM OUT
On February 25, 2022, Ms Jacquelyn Mazinga Ssemakula, Assistant Administrator General/Public Trustees wrote to; Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Harriet Nalubwama and Alice Terukanya communicating to them the court decision revoking their Letters of Administration.
“This office has been served with a judgement and Decree in respect of Civil Suit No.149/2019 Wherefore, your Letters of Administration obtained in 2017 vide High Court Administration cause No. 1782 of 2017 were revoked.” Reads letter from Administrator General.
Letter says, “As appointed Administrators then, you were among others to distribute the estate, make an account and secure the same. Suffice to note, since the said letters of Administration have since been revoked, it is prudent that you do surrender the following to this office for safety custody:
● Land title to Mawokota Block 107 Plot 2 Land at Namwambula
● Land title to Mawokota Block 107 Plot 6 measuring 33 acres 
● Land title to Busiro Block 306 plot 3168 measuring 0.591 hectares 
● Busiro Block 314 plot 1306 Land at Buloba measuring 0.5977 hectares 
● Busiro Block 314 plot 1307 Land at Buloba measuring 0.858 hectares
● Busiro Block 306 Plot 4532 Land at Bbira measuring 0.209 hectares 
“Further still, you are directed to avail us with an account and inventory of the estate to enable us establish the residues and the un-administered effects before we issue a Certificate of No Objection. All the above should be submitted to this office not later than March 2, 2022 at 11am.” Reads the letter which was copied to the Beneficiaries, Kyomukama & Co. Advocates, Anguria, Augon & Co. Advocates.
Before that, Ms Mazinga Jacquelyn Ssemakula the Assistant Administrator General /Public Trustees, had on February 3, 2022 written the widows and all adult Children, Sarah Nanziri, Betty Kisitu Nakayita, Justine Nassali Namirembe and the family lawyers, telling them how there was need for appointment of new Administrators.
Letter was inviting them for a meeting at the office of the Administrator General, Georgian House, Kampala, on February 9, 2022.
This followed the Revocation of Letters of Administration granted to Kenneth Mayambala, John Kaweesa, Mark Mivule, Harriet Nalubwama and Alice Terukanya.
The former Administrators did not attend the Administrator General’s meeting neither returning whatever she asked from them.

HERE ARE THE NEW ADMINISTRATORS
Giving them a certificate of No objection, Mr. Charles Kasibayo the Administrator General letter on Mach 16, 2022 to the newly appointed Administrators; Juliet Nantaba, Immaculate Nangendo, Derrick Muwanga, Denis Kaggwa, David Mayanja said, “Take notice that the Administrator General of Uganda does not object to your application for a grant of Letters of Administration/Letters of Probate in respect of the estate of Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo, the deceased.
So whoever deals with the former Administration on behalf of the estate of late Kisitu Ephraim Ssalongo does so at his or her own peril!

In our Part II of this story, we dig deeper into the land deal of other 33 acres of Kisitu’s land involving Kampala businessman John Bosco Muwonge and a Kampala lawyer where former Administrators bagged billions to sale land to this businessmen without the consent of the children. Businessman is already worried of making huge losses as Kisitu’s children insist, he bought air.

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