Police Shake-Up!! Land Protection Unit Detached from CID to Combat Mafias

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abbas Byakagaba, has announced a sweeping reform targeting land-related crimes by transferring the Land Protection Unit from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) to the Directorate of Legal and Human Rights.

The restructuring, reported by SpyReports, has sparked widespread discussion within police circles and among the general public. Many view the move as a strategic step to strengthen the handling of land disputes and curb rampant land grabbing.

As part of the changes, Byakagaba appointed Commissioner of Police (CP) James Kusemererwa to head the revamped Land Protection Unit, with Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Musani Sabila serving as his deputy.

An insider from the IGP’s office revealed, “The separation of the Land Department from CID is intended to boost its ability to address the legal, operational, and criminal aspects of land-related conflicts.”

Sources further disclosed that President Yoweri Museveni had earlier warned IGP Byakagaba about a network of “mafias” allegedly using rogue CID officers to unlawfully seize land — a practice that has fueled public unrest. In many cases, expired or fraudulent court orders were reportedly used to forcefully evict legitimate landowners, further eroding trust in law enforcement.

In response, the police leadership has mandated that all eviction court orders must now be thoroughly verified and authorized by police legal officers before any eviction is carried out. “It is now a requirement that every court order must be vetted and approved by the police’s legal department before enforcement,” a senior officer at Naguru Police Headquarters confirmed.

The reform follows high-profile land disputes, including a controversial case in Kiboga District, where a tycoon allegedly evicted residents using forged documents. President Museveni personally intervened after investigations revealed that police had inadvertently supported the illegal eviction.

By placing the Land Protection Unit under the Legal and Human Rights Directorate, led by AIGP Counsel Charles Kataratambi, the Uganda Police Force aims to enhance accountability and ensure that land matters are addressed strictly within the framework of the law.