In a sweeping reform aimed at intensifying the fight against land-related crimes, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba has officially transferred the Land Protection Unit from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) to the Directorate of Legal and Human Rights.

The reorganization, which has sparked considerable debate both within the police force and among members of the public, is seen as a deliberate move to ensure that land disputes are resolved lawfully and transparently.

As part of the changes, IGP Byakagaba named Commissioner of Police (CP) James Kusemererwa to head the revamped Land Protection Unit. He will be supported by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Musani Sabila as his deputy.

An official close to the IGP’s office indicated that the restructuring aims to strengthen the Unit’s ability to tackle both the legal and criminal complexities of land conflicts more effectively. “Separating the Land Department from CID is intended to build specialized capacity to handle these sensitive matters,” the source said.

This development follows concerns previously raised by President Yoweri Museveni, who reportedly cautioned IGP Byakagaba about criminal networks, often referred to as “mafias,” exploiting the CID to facilitate illegal land grabs. In some reported cases, expired court orders were allegedly used to wrongfully evict legitimate landowners, further eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions.

By repositioning the Land Protection Unit under the Legal Directorate, the police leadership hopes to restore integrity in handling land issues and curb the influence of criminal elements within the system.