Kusemererwa to lead restructured police land protection unit

________________

The Uganda Police Force has announced a major restructuring of its Land Protection Unit to streamline operations and better manage the increasing number of land-related conflicts across the country.

Speaking to journalists during the weekly press briefing on Monday, April 28, at police headquarters in Naguru, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the Land Protection Unit, which was previously under the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), has now been shifted to the Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Services.

Rusoke revealed that Commissioner of Police, James Kusemererwa, has been appointed to head the restructured unit, with Assistant Commissioner of Police Musani Sabila as his deputy.

He explained that the restructuring aims to strengthen the unit’s capacity to address the legal, operational, and criminal dimensions of land disputes, recognising that most land cases contain both civil and criminal elements.

“Land matters are the busiest and most sensitive cases we receive at police stations. They often involve domestic violence, fraud, and physical confrontations,” Rusoke said.

Previously, the CID managed the criminal aspects of land matters while operational orders were issued by the Directorate of Operations.

Rusoke noted that the new structure grants the commander of the Land Protection Unit full control and command over all matters in a more integrated manner.

“We believe this streamlining will ensure better coordination, faster response, and more effective investigations into land-related conflicts,” he said.