On 3rd February 2026, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) received a complaint from Reverand Father Edward Bwanika alleging that Odida Paul and his agents had forcefully entered his land(Kibanja) in Ntinzi, Nkozi in Mpigi and destroyed his plantation of; coffee, bananas and Irish potatoes, and the Unit immediately initiated investigations.
On 14th February 2026, SH-ACU received another complaint from Rev Fr Bwanika that Mr Odida and his agents had further destroyed his remaining crops.
To stem this impunity, on 15th February 2026, SH-ACU arrested Mr Odida and four others involved in the destruction.
Upon his arrest, Mr Odida and his lawyers requested to be allowed to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution and Rev Fr Bwanika agreed to the same.
Mr Odida apologised to Rev Fr Bwanika and committed to ensure that he enjoys quiet possession of his Kibanja. He further agreed to compensate the Rev Fr for the loss of his crops.
Fr Bwanika acquired approximately 2.5 acres of Kibanja in 2004 and has been in active possession of the same ever since. Mr Odida only got the land registered in his names in 2021 after initially applying through his agent for conversion of customary interests into freehold. Investigations continue into the circumstances under which the title was issued for land with occupants.
SH-ACU’s intervention is premised on H.E the President’s directive to ensure that constitutional protection of occupancy of bibanja owners is guaranteed.
