At least 16 people reportedly hired by Buganda Kingdom Finance Office (Nkuluze) to evict over 50 tenants from a piece of land owned by Buganda monarch Ronald have been arrested.

The land, 107 acres located on Plot 1373 Block 17 in Bugabo village, Kalagala sub-county in Luweero District, is owned by Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi.

The 16 are accused of using machetes, clubs and a tractor to destroy gardens on Saturday. The tenants had acknowledged that the land didn’t belong to them and asked for a grace period to first harvest their crops.

The incensed tenants engaged those evicting them, burning the tractor.

It was police from Bombo Police Station that restored calm – and arrested 16 people.

According to Luweero District Criminal Investigations officer Raymond Jjagwe, those arrested include Shafik Matovu, Arnold Ssekandi, Jonah Njakwasi, Kassim Ssendujja, Emmanuel Twikiriza, God Kibirige, Julius Mwanje, Fred Muyingo and Brian Amanyire. Jjagwe also revealed that these hail from Rubaga and Kisenyi in Kampala.

Just last week, Buganda Land Board officials razed down part of singer Bobi Wine’s One Love Beach at Busabala in Wakiso District over alleged encroachment.