BY OUR REPORTER
MUKONO
Tension has erupted among residents of Mbeya Island in Mukono District following the release on bail of two men they accuse of being linked to a series of violent crimes on the island.
Residents are demanding protection and have asked security authorities to prevent Jackson Ssebitosi, alias “Big Pig,” and his co-accused, Yasin Kasirye, from returning to the island, saying their release has heightened fears of renewed violence.
Ssebitosi was recently arrested on a court order after allegedly failing to attend proceedings in a case in which he is jointly charged with Kasirye and others with attempted murder and robbery.
He spent about two weeks on remand before being released from Kauga Prison on Thursday, on bail pending the hearing of the case on October 7, 2026, before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mukono.
The duo is charged under Court File No. 1324/2023 over the alleged assault of Fredrick Namara Karuhanga in March 2023.
Namara was allegedly beaten, burnt and left unconscious near the shores of Lake Victoria in an attack that nearly claimed his life.
Court documents and residents’ testimonies indicate that he was abandoned at the lakeshore with severe injuries before marine officers rescued him and rushed him to hospital. He reportedly remained in a coma for several days before regaining consciousness.
Earlier murder case
The allegations against Ssebitosi and Kasirye are not limited to the Namara case.
They were previously arrested alongside several others over the alleged murder of Fred Ntambi, who was attacked while fishing on Lake Victoria on March 22, 2023.
Ntambi was reportedly found by Good Samaritans lying in a pool of blood along the lakeshore with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to St Bernard Clinic in Katosi, where he later died.
Those arrested included Ssebitosi, then 28, Bernard Mateke, 36, Abdul Ssempiira, the then Mbeya LC1 vice chairperson, Kasirye, the Mbeya LC1 secretary, Richard Ngoobi, Annet Amuron, Sanyu Digonda and Abdul Mugisha.
Ssebitosi reportedly admitted beating Ntambi after suspecting him of stealing fishing nets, but denied intending to kill him.
The suspects were later granted bail after Florence Namujju, Ntambi’s sister and a key prosecution witness, reportedly stopped attending court sessions.
Wanyama linked to dispute
Residents allege that Ssebitosi and other suspects have continued to receive protection from influential individuals, particularly Major Mark Wanyama, a UPDF officer involved in a separate long-running land dispute on the island.
They claim Wanyama has repeatedly intervened to secure the suspects’ freedom.
On February 10 this year, residents allege that Wanyama, working with police, caused Namara to be arrested when the case arising from his assault was due before court.
Namara was reportedly linked to alleged property destruction under Police File No. CRB 442/2023. However, residents and documents cited in the dispute indicate that the suspects in that case were headed by Juma Mukwana and others.
They further state that Namara had never recorded a statement in the file or interacted with police over the alleged offence. The file had reportedly been sanctioned twice before.
His arrest consequently raised questions in the community, coming as the case in which he was the alleged victim was progressing through court.
Court documents and residents’ testimonies state that Namara was attacked by individuals allegedly associated with Wanyama’s camp.
In a televised interview, Wanyama reportedly admitted ordering the fracas during which Namara was assaulted.
Residents further allege that several people have suffered violence but remained silent out of fear since Wanyama began claiming ownership of land on the island.
Seven-acre land dispute
The wider tensions centre on seven acres of land described as Kyaggwe Block 494, Plot 9, on Mbeya Island.
Documents indicate that businessman Jackson Twinamasiko bought the land on November 6, 2019, from Francis Tyaba, a Ugandan living in the United States who had granted power of attorney to Joyce Lutaaya.
The transaction was valued at Shs70 million.
Twinamasiko later alleged that Lutaaya sold the same property to Major Wanyama, triggering a dispute over ownership and occupation.
He subsequently petitioned the UPDF and the President, alleging that Wanyama and armed soldiers had forcibly occupied the property.
Investigations by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and the Special Investigations Bureau reportedly found Wanyama and other soldiers culpable in connection with the allegations. The matter is currently before the UPDF Human Rights Department.
An interim court order was issued restraining interference with the property pending determination of the civil suit.
On October 21, 2022, the Inspector General of Police instructed authorities to enforce the order. Despite resistance, it was eventually implemented in January 2024.
The civil dispute remains before court
Residents say the combination of the land wrangle, alleged violence and the release of suspects in serious criminal cases has heightened insecurity on Mbeya Island.
They want security agencies and the courts to ensure that the criminal and civil proceedings continue without intimidation and that witnesses and residents are protected from possible retaliation.
The allegations against Ssebitosi, Kasirye, Wanyama and the other individuals mentioned have not been finally determined by a court
