By Mulengera Reporters
The family of Uganda’s former police hero Erinayo Wilson Oryema has openly praised past leaders of the police force for standing with them during difficult years of protecting their ancestral land in northern Uganda, even as they now raise serious worries about perceived lack of support from the current Deputy Inspector General of Police.
For decades, the land at Tangi Village in Nwoya District has carried deep history and emotion for the Oryema family. The area once hosted a large ranch owned by the family, filled with cattle, machinery and a modern homestead that stood as one of the most developed properties in the region.
But the story of the land also carries the painful memories of war and exile.
During the years of conflict linked to the rebellion of the Lord’s Resistance Army, the family fled the region as insecurity spread across northern Uganda. Their home was abandoned as they escaped into exile.
When the family later learned what had happened in their absence, the news was devastating. Their home had reportedly been used as a base by government forces during the conflict. Commanders stayed at the property and much of the ranch was left destroyed. The cattle disappeared, equipment was lost and the once thriving estate was reduced to ruins.
Years later, hope returned.
In 2014 the family received an invitation from the government to return home for the reburial of the late Oryema. The ceremony became a historic moment for the family and the country.
Thousands of people gathered in Tangi for the event, which was attended by President Yoweri Museveni together with senior police leaders. It was an emotional return for family members who had spent many years outside the country.
During the ceremony, the government acknowledged the suffering that had happened to the family and pledged to help them rebuild their home and restore the legacy of the late police icon.
As part of the effort to secure the land and honor Oryema’s legacy, the family donated part of their land for a police post. Temporary structures known as Uniports were installed and seven police officers were deployed to protect the area.
For many years, the family says their relationship with the police remained respectful, complementary and supportive.
They particularly commend former police chiefs who handled the matter with professionalism, care and courtesy. Among those praised is former Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura, who worked closely with the family during the early years after their return.
The family also speaks warmly of his successor Martin Okoth Ochola, saying his leadership ensured stability around the land and maintained a respectful partnership between the police and the Oryema family. They also remember the late Deputy Inspector General of Police Paul Lokech for the role he played in supporting security at the property and maintaining peace in the area, and Maj. Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, who Maj Gen Lokech replaced, for the protection he provided for the family land.
According to the granddaughter Nancy Oryema, these preceding leaders of the Police Force treated the matter with priority, dignity and ensured that the land connected to the former IGP remained protected.
However, Nancy says the situation has changed dramatically in recent years.
Their biggest concern now centers on the current Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ochaya, whom they accuse of issuing orders that contradict the complementary attitude that had become norm when it comes to how harmoniously and supportively the Oryema family was treated-since the days of Gen Kale Kayihura.
That Ocaya’s ambiguous and generally indifferent approach has left the family estate vulnerable and susceptible to being encroached upon. That potential and actual land grabbers have taken advantage of the prevailing vulnerability to invade the property and in the process depriving supposed beneficiaries, including Nancy.
The dissatisfied family members reached a point of mitigating against this growing vulnerability by reaching out directly to the current IGP Abbas Byakagaba, who confirmed that the task had been assigned to DIGP Ochaya, but the family says their concerns have since been disregarded by the DIGP’s office.
The family claims that rogue-minded individuals have leveraged the ongoing indifference by the sections in the top Police leadership to encroach on the Erinayo land. Many without proper documentation or any lawful claim have over months been storming the vast land (it’s in thousands of hectares); unlawfully cultivating parts of it and attempting to take control.
They say local police commanders have privately told them that their hands are tied because instructions are allegedly coming from higher authorities-causing them to do nothing.
The most troubling development for the family was the reported directive to remove the police Uniport structures that had been installed years earlier as part of the government’s pledge to secure the area.
Those structures had stood for years as a symbol of the partnership between the Oryema family and the police force.
The family now fears that removing them could weaken the security of the land and encourage further encroachment.
Nancy says the situation is painful and risks depicting the Ugandan state as ungrateful because the late Oryema devoted his life to serving Uganda and building the police force, yet today his own family feels vulnerable on the land that carries his legacy.
For them, the issue is not only about property but also about protecting history and honoring the promises that President Museveni made to them when they returned from exile. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
