MITYANA | — A protracted land dispute in Zigoti Town Council, Mityana District, has ended in tragedy following the death of Kibamba Kalembe, a central figure in the controversial case that previously dragged Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Proscovia Mwanjuzi to court.
Kalembe reportedly collapsed and later died after experiencing intense pressure linked to a court compensation ruling said to exceed UGX 2 billion, according to community sources familiar with the matter. His death has sent shockwaves through the district and reignited public debate over the handling of land disputes and the heavy personal toll they can take.
The Zigoti land dispute first attracted widespread attention when Kalembe, working in alleged connivance with lawyer Kazungu Apollo, sued Deputy RDC Mwanjuzi alongside another party identified as Kintu in Mubende High Court. The case stemmed from Mwanjuzi’s intervention to halt what she maintained was an illegal eviction that lacked a valid court order.
In a ruling that angered many residents, the court ordered Mwanjuzi to personally pay UGX 25 million in damages. The decision triggered protests and public condemnation in Mityana, with residents accusing land grabbers of using the courts to intimidate public officers who stand against illegal land dealings. Mwanjuzi challenged the decision and filed an appeal, insisting she acted within her constitutional mandate to maintain peace and protect citizens.
As public pressure mounted and further legal scrutiny followed, the case reportedly took a new turn. Community leaders say court correspondence and detailed submissions later placed heavier responsibility on Kalembe, culminating in compensation orders running into billions of shillings. Residents allege that upon receiving official court letters detailing the financial implications, Kalembe became visibly distressed and his health began to deteriorate.
Sources close to the family say the pressure overwhelmed him. Community members report that prayers were held for him at church as his condition worsened, but despite these efforts, he later collapsed and died. Authorities have not released an official medical cause of death, though the circumstances surrounding his passing have intensified discussion about stress, legal pressure, and the human cost of prolonged land disputes.
Reaction to Kalembe’s death has been mixed across Mityana District. While some residents expressed sympathy for his family, many others described the tragedy as a painful lesson on the dangers of unresolved land conflicts. Supporters of Deputy RDC Mwanjuzi say the developments strengthen their belief that the original case was driven by questionable interests rather than the pursuit of justice.
By press time, Deputy RDC Mwanjuzi had not issued a public statement regarding Kalembe’s death. Officials indicate that her appeal against the UGX 25 million judgment remains active, and she continues to execute her duties as Deputy RDC.
As the community reflects on the Zigoti land saga, residents and local leaders are renewing calls for reforms in land administration, faster dispute resolution mechanisms, and stronger protection for both citizens and public officials caught in high-stakes land conflicts, warning that without decisive action, similar tragedies could occur again.
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