Kyenjojo’s Silent Genocide: Officials Accused of Shielding Murderers

In western Uganda’s Kyenjojo District, a cloud of fear and outrage hangs over communities in Matiri and nearby villages as top political and security officials come under fire amid a wave of deadly violence and rising tribal tensions.

Over the past several months, residents and local leaders have described a disturbing pattern of targeted attacks, with at least six people killed since the start of the year. Survivors speak of injuries, displacement, and a growing sense of abandonment in the face of alleged corruption and inaction by those entrusted with their safety.

The violence reportedly centers on non-Batooro residents who own land in Matiri and surrounding areas. Many now question whether local authorities are doing enough—or anything at all—to stop the bloodshed. Accusations have been leveled against some of the district’s top leaders, including Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ms. Ayesiga Julian Sarah, LC5 Chairperson Mr. Gilbert Akiki Rubaihayo, and District Police Commander (DPC) SP Edith Basalirwa, who are alleged to be shielding the attackers and ignoring the community’s cries for help.

Among the most recent victims was 60-year-old Mohamed Kasenene, a Mukiga, whose mutilated body was found last Saturday night at his home. He had been killed with a panga in what residents say fits a chilling pattern. Before him, Erick Kakiza, Kendice Matagyisa, Kajoina, and Twesigye Peter also lost their lives in similar attacks. Local leaders, speaking anonymously, say some of these murders were carried out in daylight by individuals who roam the area without fear of consequence.

Community sources allege that a group of around 40 individuals—believed to be from the Batooro ethnic group—is behind the attacks. The group is reportedly organized, well-known in the area, and allegedly enjoys protection from powerful figures in the district. Most of the victims are said to be non-Batooro and non-Banyoro individuals who bought land legally—sometimes even from the same people now demanding they vacate it.

But the violence goes beyond killings. Reports indicate that victims’ homes have been destroyed, livestock stolen or killed, and women and girls subjected to sexual violence. Several survivors are now permanently disabled, having lost limbs in panga attacks.

Despite repeated calls for help, residents say meaningful intervention has yet to come. Local leaders claim that even when names of suspects are given to the police, little action follows. Some say suspects are released without trial, and in many cases, arrests are never made. One LC1 chairperson told this publication that he even offered his own house to be used as a temporary police post—free of charge for a year—but says no action has been taken by security officials.

In Matiri, fear has taken hold. Some families lock themselves inside before nightfall, terrified they’ll be next. Others have already fled, leaving behind homes and land they once believed were legally theirs.

Concerns about the RDC, Ms. Ayesiga Julian Sarah, extend beyond security. She is also accused of engaging in illegal activities inside the Matiri Forest Reserve. Reports claim that while she publicly champions environmental protection, she privately operates a farm and timber business through her sister. Large areas of the forest are said to have been cleared for farming and timber harvesting allegedly linked to her and other local figures. Yet despite the allegations, she continues to receive praise from her superiors for her environmental work.

While land disputes are not new to Kyenjojo, in Matiri the conflict appears to have taken a tribal turn. Many affected families claim to have legally purchased their land—some with titles dating back generations. However, tensions grew when local elites began arguing that certain plots belong to the Tooro Kingdom and that non-Batooro residents must leave.

In one case, a local lawyer and politician named Mugisha Vincent claims to have legally acquired about half a mile of land from a man named Kanyankore, who had purchased it from the King of Tooro. Despite his documentation, some Batooro residents insist the land is rightfully theirs through ancestral ties.

When approached for comment, NRM leader Mr. Vicente Kandole denied that the violence is tribal. He instead accused Mugisha of inciting unrest over land matters. Mugisha, however, maintains that the attacks are tribal in nature and specifically target individuals from outside the Tooro community.

Sources allege that with the backing of other district officials and the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), RDC Ayesiga has managed to block her transfer multiple times. These officials reportedly defend her position, claiming the district still needs her leadership. Residents, however, say the real reason is fear—fear that a new RDC might refuse to cooperate in their alleged under-the-table dealings.

Public interest in the Matiri Forest situation has also grown. Following allegations of land grabbing and deforestation, President Yoweri Museveni reportedly instructed the Uganda Forestry Authority (UFA) to step in and protect the area. But according to some sources, instead of preserving the forest, UFA officials and local leaders allocated large tracts of land to themselves. Hundreds of acres that were once protected reserve are now said to be in private hands—a claim yet to be independently verified.

When contacted by phone, RDC Ayesiga said she could only respond in person at her Kyenjojo office, stating she did not trust phone inquiries. Efforts to reach LC5 Chairperson Mr. Gilbert Akiki Rubaihayo were unsuccessful, as he did not return our calls. Similarly, DPC SP Edith Basalirwa could not be reached for comment by press time.

Frustrated and frightened, locals say they no longer trust district security systems, which they believe favor perpetrators over victims. Many now believe that only a strong response from the central government can bring peace back to Matiri.