Residents of Mbeya Island in Mukono District have called for increased security and protection following the release on bail of Jackson Ssebitosi, alias “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 triggered protests among residents, who say they fear his return to the island together with Kasirye.
The residents have appealed to security authorities to prevent the two men from returning to the island, describing them as unruly and alleging that they have been linked to violent incidents 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.
According to court documents and accounts from residents, Namara was allegedly brutally beaten, burnt and left unconscious near the shores of Lake Victoria in an attack that nearly claimed his life.
He was reportedly found with severe injuries at the lakeshore and rescued by marine officers, who rushed him to hospital. He allegedly 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 a serious crime on the island.
They were previously arrested alongside several other suspects over the alleged murder of Fred Ntambi, who was attacked and tortured while fishing on Lake Victoria on March 22, 2023.
Ntambi was reportedly 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, 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, saying he 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, reportedly declined to continue attending court sessions.
Residents have now raised concerns that Ssebitosi and other suspects accused of involvement in violent incidents have allegedly continued to receive protection from influential individuals, particularly Major Mark Wanyama, a UPDF officer who is also involved in a long-running land dispute on the island.
The residents allege that Wanyama has repeatedly intervened in matters involving the suspects and helped secure their release.
On February 10 this year, residents allege that Wanyama, working with police, caused Namara to be arrested at a time when the case arising from his alleged assault was due to come before court.
Namara was reportedly linked to the alleged destruction of property on Mbeya Island under police file number CRB 442/2023. However, residents say the suspects in that case were led by Juma Mukwana and others.
According to documents cited in the dispute, Namara had not recorded a statement in the CRB 442/2023 case and had not previously interacted with police over the alleged offence. The file had reportedly been sanctioned twice.
His arrest therefore raised questions among residents, particularly because it occurred while the case in which he was the alleged victim was progressing through court.
Court documents and testimonies from residents state that Namara was attacked and severely beaten 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 that Namara’s case is not isolated, alleging that several residents have suffered violence but remained silent out of fear since Wanyama began asserting 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 living 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 its ownership and occupation.
Twinamasiko subsequently petitioned the UPDF and the President, alleging that Wanyama and armed soldiers had forcibly occupied the disputed property.
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 facing serious criminal charges has heightened insecurity on the island.
They are calling on security agencies and the courts to ensure that both the criminal and civil proceedings 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 a court.
