A significant destruction of property occurred at a farm in Butibulongo village, Kito Sub County, on Sunday, leaving valuable equipment worth billions of shillings damaged. Unidentified suspects targeted the farm of commercial farmer Arnold Mayinja, destroying heavy machinery including a tractor, bulldozer, wheel loader, and a truck.
The machinery was hired for the purpose of clearing land, with reports indicating that it had been brought in specifically to assist in the expansion of the farm. In total, the property damage is estimated at a staggering Shs 3 billion.
Local police were quickly deployed to the scene following the incident, and detectives have begun investigating the matter. Samuel Twineamazima, the police spokesperson for the Savannah region, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and urged the public to remain patient as officials continue to gather evidence.
According to one of the injured workers, the attackers launched their assault in the early hours of the morning when it was still dark. “We were terrified when they arrived and ordered us to vacate. They then set fire to more than five makeshift structures that held our property,” the worker recounted.
Mayinja, the farm’s owner, condemned the attack and vowed to find those responsible. “There is no doubt that this was a planned attack, but we are allowing the police to carry out their investigations,” he said. “It’s devastating to see such destruction, and we hope justice will be served.”
Local residents have speculated that the attack may be linked to a long-standing and unresolved land ownership dispute. Samuel Kironde, the local defense secretary for Kito village, explained that the land on which the farm sits is part of a larger 6-square-mile tract that has been embroiled in legal battles for years. “At one point, we heard that Mayinja and other parties were involved in a dispute over the ownership of the land,” Kironde said.
As of now, authorities continue to examine the connection between the destruction and the ongoing land conflict. Meanwhile, Mayinja has assured the public that he will cooperate fully with law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
