In a significant development in Wakiso District, thirteen Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers have been arrested following a violent confrontation with police officers at the Wakiso Police Division over a land eviction dispute. The incident occurred on the evening of June 2, 2025, around 5:00 PM, when armed personnel, reportedly from the Presidential Taskforce on Land Matters and Environment, stormed the police station.
According to a statement issued by the Uganda Police Force, the soldiers arrived in a green minibus (registration UBG 041U) and a Toyota Noah (registration UBR 647B), demanding police assistance in enforcing a land eviction related to a disputed piece of land. The Division Police Commander (DPC) and other officers declined to participate, citing the absence of a valid court order and the lack of involvement of the district security committee, making any police participation unlawful.
The soldiers reacted aggressively to the refusal, attempting to confront the DPC directly. This led to a standoff, escalating into an exchange of gunfire. The armed group eventually fled the scene.
A rapid response team from the Kampala Metropolitan North Region Police, supported by UPDF reinforcements, launched a pursuit operation. The suspects were later tracked down and arrested at Yesu Amala in Wakiso District. All thirteen soldiers are currently in custody and are facing disciplinary procedures.
The UPDF has condemned the soldiers’ actions, emphasizing that such behavior contravenes the UPDF Code of Conduct and undermines the good order and discipline of the force. The arrested soldiers are expected to be arraigned before a court martial.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between the military and civilian authorities over land disputes in Wakiso District. In recent years, there have been several reports of UPDF personnel being involved in land evictions and disputes. For instance, in July 2024, a fake soldier who had been evicting locals and grabbing their land in Kakiri town council, Wakiso district, was arrested.
President Yoweri Museveni has previously cautioned army officers against involvement in illegal land evictions. During the National Heroes Day celebrations in Kasanje, Wakiso District, in June 2019, he reiterated that no one is allowed to chase plot holders from their land, warning landowners who forcefully evict tenants from their plots.
The arrest of these thirteen UPDF soldiers underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures in land matters and maintaining the rule of law. The UPDF’s swift action in apprehending the soldiers and the ongoing disciplinary proceedings signal a commitment to upholding discipline within the force and ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
