State House has intervened in a bitter 37-year-old land conflict in Isingiro District that has spanned decades of legal battles, illegal land grabs, military involvement, and fatal violence, in an effort to bring a lasting resolution where courts and local security apparatus have failed.
The dispute, centered in Kyempara Cell, Kahungye Village, Kabingo Sub-county, involves the family of the late Philip Rubakare and that of Fred Rusisi. The feud traces its origins back to 1989, when the Rusisi family allegedly grabbed four acres of land belonging to the Rubakare family.
In 2004, the Rubakare family formally dragged Mr Rusisi to the Kabingo LCIII Court in Isingiro District over the fraudulent acquisition. Although the court eventually ruled in favor of the Rubakare family in 2010, the conflict escalated significantly when the Rubakare family subsequently utilized the favorable ruling to allegedly grab 100 acres of land belonging to Mr Rusisi.
The dispute reached a violent boiling point on April 4, 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 during the clash. Several individuals were subsequently arrested, charged, and remain in prison serving their sentences.
Tensions in the area have remained critically high. A report dated November 3, 2021, authored by the Isingiro District Crime Intelligence Officer, Mr Alvin Arinaitwe, warned that the feud posed a severe ongoing threat to public safety.
“This matter requires a high-level office and urgent solutions,” Mr Arinaitwe wrote in the report, noting that clear indicators pointed toward further bloodshed unless higher authorities acted decisively.
The report further called upon the leadership of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to restrain its personnel involved in the dispute, specifically highlighting concerns that military status was being used to cause havoc among local residents.
With local authorities and courts struggling to bring the situation under control, State House stepped in to prevent further loss of life. In a directive dated August 19, 2026, Ms Flora Kiconco, writing on behalf of the Principal Private Secretary to the President, instructed the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Isingiro to take action.
“The purpose of this letter is to request your intervention in this matter, directing that the boundaries of the disputed land be opened to establish the specific portion of land that was fraudulently sold by Bazeyaka Fredrick to Rusiisi Fred,” Ms Kiconco stated in the directive.
Responding on August 24, 2026, the Isingiro RDC, Ms Adah Nasiima, informed State House that previous local mediation attempts had stalled due to non-compliance and external interference.
“As of now, we cannot do much on the ground as security. We even put demarcations, but they were later removed by the family of the late Philip Rubakare, and the problem is UPDF Sergeant Moses Rwankore,” Ms Nasiima wrote back to State House. “This is therefore to invite both parties to come on the ground so we can find a long-lasting solution, and you are requested to invite the Special Forces Command (SFC) to the mediation meeting.”
Following the communication, a delegation from the State House Legal Department convened a locus meeting on September 17, 2026, gathering community members, local leaders, and security officials to facilitate an amicable settlement.
“We have gathered sufficient information from both parties, the community, and local leaders,” a State House legal officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told residents during the meeting. “We pray that all parties restrain from any form of attack, verbal or otherwise. We are going to return here with a definitive solution in the shortest time possible.”
Local administration and political leaders have expressed optimism that the intervention by State House will finally end the decades-long impasse.
“We are very confident that this land conflict, which has been a major security threat, will be resolved,” Ms Nasiima said. “As local leaders, we had tried, but failed because of the disrespect displayed by some of the family members.”
The State Minister for Animal Industry and Member of Parliament for Isingiro North, Mr Bright Rwamirama, also welcomed the high-level intervention.
“I am aware of the case; it has dragged on for a very long time,” Mr Rwamirama stated. “However, I am very hopeful that this time we will achieve a permanent solution with the intervention of State House.”