Police Intervention Restores Hope in Kisoro Family Land Dispute

BY: ALEX IRANKUNDA

A 60-year-old woman in Kisoro District has regained hope after police stepped in to stop her eviction from disputed family land.

Vasitina Bagorore, a resident of Mazima Ward Bunagana Town Council, had reportedly been forced off her ancestral land by her 92-year-old step mother, Benedata Mukakareba, following a disagreement over ownership and plans to sell the property.

The intervention was carried out by officers from the Child and Family Protection Unit at Kisoro Central Police Station, together with personnel from Bunagana Police Post and local leaders on April 18, 2026.

Authorities halted any intended sale of the land until court determines the rightful owner.

Bagorore says she has lived on the land since childhood after being raised there following the death of her parents. She maintains that the house she occupies was built by her brother on land inherited from their father.

However, tensions escalated when Mukakareba allegedly worked with individuals commonly known as “bush lawyers” to demolish parts of the house in an attempt to evict her.

Mukakareba has denied the allegations, insisting that the land belongs to her and was given to her by her late husband, giving her the right to sell it.

Residents in the area have largely sided with Bagorore, describing the land as ancestral property belonging to her family. They accuse Mukakareba of attempting to take over the land unlawfully, allegedly under the influence of informal mediators.

The Officer in Charge of Investigations at Bunagana Police Post, Vincent Hitimana, confirmed that the dispute has persisted for years and urged the family to seek peaceful dialogue to resolve the matter.

Meanwhile, the Officer in Charge of the Child and Family Protection Unit in Kisoro District, Gideon Mfitumukiza, emphasized that no sale will proceed until the courts conclusively determine ownership.

He also warned against the involvement of unqualified mediators, saying they often worsen conflicts and can incite violence.

Police have encouraged residents to rely on recognized legal channels and community leadership structures when handling disputes, underscoring the need for unity within families.