By Witness Radio team.
Makindye Magistrates Court in Kampala has granted non-cash bail to 72-year-old Namuddu Ruth, who was arrested for allegedly erecting a makeshift structure on her land.
Namuddu had spent close to two months on remand.
The National Environment Authority (NEMA) erased Namuddu’s permanent houses and other properties worth millions of Uganda Shillings in an exercise dubbed ‘restoration of Lubigi swamp.’ This action, which led to the displacement of Namuddu and many others, has been widely criticized for its injustice.
Namuddu is one of more than 100 households in the villages of Nansana West II, Ganda-Nasere, Nabweru South I & II, Kawaala Zone II, and some parts of Bwaise and Namungoona that were forced to leave their land by the NEMA under a heavily guarded operation by armed soldiers and police personnel.
After losing everything with no alternative resettlement or compensation, Namuddu repossessed her land and erected a temporary structure to live in, a testament to her resilience in the face of adversity.
Namuddu was arrested on the 16th of October 2024 by the police in Kampala, charged by the Makindye Court with failure to comply with orders and notices issued by NEMA, and sent on remand in Luzira prison. The charge, according to the Section 116 of the Penal Code, attracts imprisonment for two years on conviction.
Her Worship Siene Owomugisha granted Namuddu a non-cash bail of Two million Uganda shillings (2,000,000/=).
The case hearing, which will be crucial in determining the fate of Namuddu and others affected, has been adjourned to the 9th of December at 9:00 am EAT.
