Mubende Residents Begin Receiving Compensation for Land After 24 Years

After 24 long years, previous residents of Kitemba, Kijunga, Kilyamakobe and Luwunga in Mubende district, that were un-lawfully evicted to make room for a German coffee investor to start Kaweri coffee have have finally started receiving compensation for the land they lost. 

In 2001, the government of Uganda gave their land to the Neuman group (a German investor) to set up a coffee factory called Kaweri Coffee Factory. 401 families were affected leading to loss of property and social and economic setbacks. 

Imelda, a victim and resident of Kaweri recounts the day she was evicted and states that; “One day in 2001, we were at home, then armed men came in trucks and told us to pack our property and leave. When we refused, they started firing bullets and throwing our property out. We ended up spending the night in the market.” 

The community resorted to seeking legal remedies by taking the matter to court to receive justice. ActionAid International Uganda, in partnership with the Network for Public Interest Lawyers and FIAN Uganda, offered pro bono legal services that supported the victims. Consequently, a partial consent for the benefit of 258 of the 401 victims was entered on the 10th of February 2022.

Esther Kisembo, the ActionAid Uganda Project Coordinator, for Fair Green and Global, said, “When the communities were chased from their land, the community under representative suit sued the government of Uganda, Kaweeri Coffee and the Attorney General for the human rights violations that they had suffered.”

Following additional victim-led advocacy, the Government of Uganda committed to make payment to the settling Claimants in the 2024/2025 financial year. The Network for Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL), ActionAid International Uganda and FIAN Uganda have been assisting the settling victims to secure the requirements for state payment including letters of administration, death certificates, and other essential documentation. These documents are aiding the community in receive compensation for their land.

So far, 102 Claimants have been duly compensated, the partners are working to align the required documentation for all the remaining un-paid claimants including the 82 dead Claimants.

This significant achievement is a testament to the dedication and support provided by ActionAid International Uganda in collaboration with NETPIL and FIAN Uganda.