SFC admits it acted on wrong intel in Spennah beach eviction row

ENTEBE-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: The elite Special Forces Command (SFC) has distanced itself from the long-running wrangle between businessman John Asiimwe and former Entebbe municipality mayor Steven Kabuye over the ownership of Spennah beach land in Entebbe.

Officials from SFC were seen at the land in question after attempts to eject Stephen Asiimwe resulted in a fight between various groups on Friday. The incident took place when the staff of Spennah beach, an entertainment centre that is managed by Asiimwe were confronted by a group of vigilantes who were evacuating their property from the premises which were rented from Kabuye.

In the aftermath, Asiimwe reportedly hired a group to counteract the team deployed by Kabuye. SFC spokesman Maj James Omara says that the forces were called in by Asiimwe on Friday after the fight degenerated into a riot. However, Omara adds that his men acted on the wrong information that a robbery was taking place.

The situation became potentially explosive early this month, with Asiimwe allegedly leaning on security forces to maintain his stay on the land. He also demanded compensation saying that he had invested more than a billion shillings to make the place attractive.

Documents seen by URN indicate that Asiimwe was given a six-month notice of termination of the five-year rental agreement after defaulting for two years. The six months ended on May 16, 2021, but even after the expiry of the contractual notice period Asiimwe continued to forcefully occupy and operate the premises.

Eventually, Kabuye sold his interest to Jaffer Azha Ali whose counsel; Droit Advocates moved to have the client get vacant possession on the basis of a September letter from Erasmus Twaruhukwa, acting on behalf of the Inspector General of Police directing the commandant of aviation police, Entebbe to assist Jaffer to get vacant possession.

A security committee meeting held a week ago also resolved that Asiimwe vacates in a week’s time, which he did not do. Police also dismissed the environmental impact assessment that was touted by Asiimwe as not being proof of ownership. One of Jaffer’s lawyers Kenneth Paul Kakande described the incident as untenable.

“This is work of the police, SFC is supposed to guard the president and there was no president here. I don’t know which business they have here but I have been made to understand that someone approached a friend in SFC and gave him his guards to come and create chaos here so that there can be the intervention of police,” said Asiimwe.

Kakande said their men had been beaten, which they were pursuing with the army leadership. But Omara says any reports of assault will be investigated. Asiimwe’s telephone contact indicated on the contract agreement was said to be non-existent.

Do you want to share a story, comment or opinion regarding this story or others, Email us on info@newsday.co.ug or ,Tel/WhatsApp........0702451828