Hon. Emmanuel Wepukhulu Biara has vowed to continue pushing for solutions to land-related challenges in Bulambuli Constituency, despite warnings that taking on the issue could affect his political career.
Biara said he has received caution from several people who believe that confronting land disputes in greater Bunambutye could create political difficulties for him. However, he said he cannot remain silent while residents continue to face land disputes, fraud, alleged land grabbing, prolonged court cases and other challenges affecting genuine landowners.
He also raised concern over reports of land being sold for as little as Shs270,000 per acre, saying such situations expose vulnerable residents to exploitation and threaten the economic future of the constituency.
According to Biara, land is one of the most important resources in Bulambuli, and unresolved conflicts are preventing some productive land from being fully utilised.
He said Bulambuli is among the disadvantaged areas in the district, facing poverty, limited employment opportunities, inadequate service delivery and what he described as weaker representation in the distribution of political and economic opportunities.
For him, addressing the land question is therefore not simply a political matter but an important part of creating long-term economic development for the people.
Biara stressed that his efforts are not aimed at targeting individuals or settling personal differences. Instead, he said his goal is to promote a fair and transparent system where genuine landowners are protected, disputes are handled through lawful processes and responsible investors are able to operate without unnecessary conflict.
His comments come as he prepares to welcome the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to the area. Biara said he hopes the engagement will contribute to finding lasting and lawful solutions to some of the land challenges affecting residents.
He further argued that Bulambuli has enormous land potential and could play a major role in food production if land disputes are addressed. He believes that properly managed land could help create employment, improve household incomes and attract responsible investment to the constituency.
“Land is a primary factor of production,” Biara said, emphasising that meaningful economic transformation would remain difficult without secure land ownership and proper land use.
He also pointed to improved security along the Bugisu–Karamoja border and the establishment of a fully fledged military presence at Kata Barracks in Bunambutye as developments that could help create a more favourable environment for investment and agricultural production.
Biara said he has no personal ill intentions in pursuing the matter and insisted that his focus is on addressing injustice rather than fighting individuals.
“My target is injustice, not people. My mission is development, not conflict,” he said.
He pledged to continue standing with the people of Bulambuli and pursuing lawful, transparent and lasting solutions to land challenges.
Biara believes that if leaders and residents are courageous enough to confront the land question, Bulambuli can unlock its potential and become an important food basket for Uganda while creating opportunities for employment, investment and improved livelihoods.
“For God and My Country,” he concluded.
