Residents of Mbeya Island in Mukono District have protested the release on bail of Jackson Ssebitosi, also known as “Big Pig,” whom they accuse of involvement in a series of violent crimes on the island.
Ssebitosi was recently arrested on a court order after allegedly failing to attend court proceedings in a case in which he is jointly charged with Yasin Kasirye and others with attempted murder and robbery.
After spending about two weeks on remand, Ssebitosi was released from Kauga Prison on Thursday on bail pending the hearing of the case on October 7, 2026, before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mukono.
His release has sparked protests on Mbeya Island, with residents expressing fear over the possible return of Ssebitosi and Kasirye.
They have asked security authorities to prevent the two men from returning to the island, describing them as unruly residents and accusing them of being linked to violence in the community.
The duo is charged under court file number 1324/2023 in connection with the alleged assault of Fredrick Namara Karuhanga in March 2023.
Namara was allegedly brutally beaten, burnt and left unconscious near the shores of Lake Victoria in an attack that nearly claimed his life.
Court documents and testimonies from residents indicate that Namara was abandoned at the lakeshore after sustaining severe injuries.
Marine officers rescued him and rushed him to hospital, where he reportedly remained in a coma for several days before regaining consciousness.
The case is not the first in which Ssebitosi and Kasirye have been accused of involvement in serious crime on the island.
They were previously arrested alongside several others over the alleged murder of Fred Ntambi, who was attacked and tortured while fishing on Lake Victoria on March 22, 2023.
Ntambi was found by Good Samaritans lying helpless in a pool of blood along the lakeshore with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to St Bernard Clinic in Katosi, where he later died.
Those arrested in connection with Ntambi’s death included Ssebitosi, who was then 28, Bernard Mateke, 36, Abdul Ssempiira, the then Mbeya LC1 vice chairperson, Yasin Kasirye, the Mbeya LC1 secretary, Richard Ngoobi, Annet Amuron, Sanyu Digonda and Abdul Mugisha.
Ssebitosi reportedly admitted beating Ntambi, claiming that he had suspected him of stealing fishing nets, but denied intentionally killing him.
The suspects were later granted bail after Florence Namujju, Ntambi’s sister and a key prosecution witness, declined to continue attending court sessions.
Residents now allege that despite the arrests and accusations of violence against members of the community, Ssebitosi and other suspects have continued to enjoy protection from influential individuals, particularly Major Mark Wanyama, a UPDF officer who is also at the centre of a long-running land dispute on the island.
Residents claim that Wanyama has repeatedly intervened to secure the freedom of the suspects.
On February 10 this year, Wanyama, working with police, allegedly caused Namara to be arrested at a time when the case arising from his assault was due to come before court.
Namara was reportedly linked to the destruction of property on Mbeya Island under police file number CRB 442/2023. However, the suspects in that case were headed by Juma Mukwana and others.
Residents and documents cited in the dispute indicate that Namara had never recorded a statement in the CRB 442/2023 case and had not interacted with police over the alleged offence. The file had reportedly been sanctioned twice before.
Namara’s arrest therefore raised questions among residents, particularly because it occurred as the case in which he was the alleged victim was progressing through court.
Court documents and testimonies from Mbeya residents state that Namara was attacked and beaten nearly to death by individuals allegedly associated with Wanyama’s camp.
In a televised interview, Wanyama reportedly admitted ordering the fracas during which Namara was assaulted.
Community members claim Namara’s case is not an isolated incident. They allege that several residents have suffered violence but have remained silent because of fear since Wanyama began claiming ownership of land on the island.
At the centre of the tensions is a seven-acre piece of land described as Kyaggwe Block 494, Plot 9, on Mbeya Island.
Documents indicate that the land was purchased on November 6, 2019, by businessman Jackson Twinamasiko from Francis Tyaba, a Ugandan residing in the United States who had granted power of attorney to Joyce Lutaaya.
The transaction was valued at Shs70 million.
Twinamasiko later alleged that Lutaaya sold the same land to Major Wanyama, triggering a dispute over ownership and occupation.
Twinamasiko subsequently petitioned the UPDF and the President, alleging that Wanyama and armed soldiers had forcibly occupied the disputed land.
Investigations by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and the Special Investigations Bureau reportedly found Wanyama and other soldiers culpable in connection with the allegations. The matter is currently before the UPDF Human Rights Department.
An interim court order was subsequently issued restraining interference with the disputed property pending the final determination of the civil suit.
On October 21, 2022, the Office of the Inspector General of Police instructed authorities to enforce the court order. Despite resistance, the order was eventually implemented in January 2024.
The civil dispute over the land remains pending before court.
Meanwhile, residents say the combination of the land dispute, allegations of violence and the release of suspects accused in serious criminal cases has heightened insecurity on the island.
They are calling on security agencies and the courts to ensure that the criminal and civil proceedings are allowed to proceed without intimidation, while witnesses and residents are protected from possible retaliation.
The allegations against Ssebitosi, Kasirye, Wanyama and the other individuals mentioned in the disputes have not been finally determined by court.
