KISORO UGANDA: Police in Kisoro District have raised concern over the increasing involvement of bush lawyers, a trend they say is fueling land disputes in the area.

The concern was raised on Wednesday by Gideon Mfitumukiza, the Officer in Charge of the Children and Family Protection Unit at Kisoro Police Station, while handling a land conflict involving members of the family of Charles Maniragaba in Rugeshi Village, Chibumba Parish, Murora Sub-county.

In the dispute, one of the co-wives accused the others of denying her access to additional family gardens.

Mfitumukiza noted that some cases are taking long to resolve both at the police and in courts due to the interference of bush lawyers, who allegedly mislead residents while pretending to be affiliated with police or judicial institutions.

He added that similar cases had previously emerged in Bukimbiri County but were successfully resolved through collaboration between local leaders, the Children and Family Protection Unit, the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and other security agencies.

He further urged family members to embrace unity and avoid harassing one another in order to maintain stability within families.

Mfitumukiza said, “Bush lawyers in Kisoro are on the rise. They are the ones responsible for the increase in land disputes in the area. They present themselves as legal experts, yet their main aim is to get money from the people. I am warning them, and they will be dealt with. For now, I cannot mention them because I already know them through intelligence reports, but I am warning them to stop this habit.”

Meanwhile, Murora Sub-county LC3 Chairperson Peace Munezero Lure acknowledged the rise of bush lawyers in the area, saying they have contributed to the increase in land cases.

She appealed to family members to prioritize peace, work together, and engage in prayers to promote harmony and stability in their households.