Nakifuma Magistrates Court has this morning convicted and sentenced two individuals for disobeying lawful court orders in a bitter property wrangle in Mukono District.
Nanfuka Christine and Nasejje Halima pleaded guilty to charges of defying a legal directive and were handed sentences that include community service and fines, with a custodial sentence of one year should they fail to comply.
The ruling follows an intensive investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The legal battle stemmed from a long-standing land conflict in Nkonge Village, Mukono District, where the convicted individuals, along with another co-accused, Kirya Patrick, were accused of unlawfully blocking Ms. Nansereko Zaina from accessing her own property between February and April 2025.
According to court documents, Zaina had rightfully secured a court order affirming her right to use her portion of the land. But in blatant defiance of the law, the trio continued to harass her, even hiring goons to physically prevent her access to the land.
“Despite multiple warnings and a standing court order, these individuals chose to take the law into their own hands. That is unacceptable in any society that respects the rule of law,” an official from the Anti-Corruption Unit stated.
The convictions serve as a warning to other individuals who believe they can defy legal rulings with impunity. Both Nanfuka and Nasejje were sentenced to mandatory community service and monetary fines, with a stark warning: if they default, they’ll serve a full year in prison.
Kirya Patrick, the third accused in the case, is still undergoing trial proceedings.
For Zaina Nansereko, today’s verdict is more than just a legal victory, it is a symbol of resilience against land-grabbing and systemic harassment. Her story is sadly familiar to many Ugandans, particularly women, who often face intimidation, violence, and corruption when asserting land ownership.
Uganda continues to grapple with widespread land disputes fueled by poor documentation, fraudulent sales, and powerful interests. But this case is a reminder that justice can prevail when institutions work together.
The Anti-Corruption Unit, CID, and ODPP have been intensifying their efforts to crack down on illegal evictions and defiance of court orders, particularly in rural areas where vulnerable landowners often lack the resources to defend themselves.
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