news 25 September 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Albertine Graben Evictions: Women Face Torture, Rape Amidst Land Disputes
A year-long investigation in Uganda's Albertine Graben reveals that over 1,000 families face constant threats of eviction, with women enduring severe violence, including rape and torture, allegedly orchestrated by cartels using state security forces. Legal battles are underway as victims seek justice and accountability. Source: https://observer.ug/news/the-pain-and-anguish-in-the-albertine-part-ii
The Albertine Graben, a region rich in oil, has become a battleground for land rights, with over 1,000 families in Kapaapi village, Hoima district, living under the perpetual threat of eviction. These communities allege that powerful cartels employ rogue elements from the UPDF, police, and private security firms to forcibly remove them from their ancestral lands.
A six-month investigation uncovered deeply disturbing incidents, including widespread torture and sexual abuse against women during eviction raids. Medical professionals have confirmed that victims continue to suffer from trauma years later, though many remain silent due to stigma and fear of reprisal. A petition filed in January 2024 against a former Hoima District Police Commander highlights alleged night raids where women were tied up and gang-raped before being forcibly removed from their homes.
Victims recount harrowing experiences, including miscarriages, physical injuries, and the destruction of their homes and livelihoods. One woman, two months pregnant at the time of her eviction, lost her unborn child and now sleeps in the bush with her nine children. Another, raped by attackers while blindfolded, suffers from severe back pain, and her son was shot during the eviction.
Legal action is being taken, with law firm Arinaitwe and Company Advocates filing multiple suits on behalf of the affected families. One public interest litigation case seeks to hold TotalEnergies and the Ugandan government vicariously liable for the abuses. The legal team itself has reported facing threats, surveillance, and intimidation.
Land disputes are central to the conflict. In one instance, a portion of land leased by Brigadier Peter Nabasa is claimed to have been forcefully acquired under a disputed consent agreement, with residents facing immediate eviction without compensation. The Uganda Human Rights Commission has acknowledged the ongoing nature of the issue, noting that mediation efforts are underway but hindered by ongoing court processes.