The High Court in Mbale, Uganda, has recently dismissed a significant human rights case involving over 1,600 residents from Bukwo District. The plaintiffs claimed they were unlawfully evicted from their ancestral land located on the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon, a situation they asserted has caused them substantial hardship and violation of their rights. Despite the case being filed under the premise that their fundamental rights under the Constitution had been violated, Justice Dr. Farouk Lubega ruled that the lawsuit was time-barred as it was filed too late, dismissing the hopes of the residents for justice after more than twenty years.

The eviction, which allegedly occurred on February 24, 1999, was reportedly conducted by officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, along with support from armed forces and police. The residents expressed their deep grievances, stating that they were not given any compensation or resettlement support following their eviction, fundamentally disrupting their lives and causing them significant losses of property and valuables. The plaintiffs in their affidavit described the evictions as unlawful and forceful, highlighting the long-lasting impact the actions of the authorities have had on their community.

This ruling raises important implications for land rights and human rights in Uganda, particularly regarding historical grievances that remain unresolved. The dismissal of the case underscores challenges that individuals facing land disputes may encounter in seeking legal recourse, as well as the possible inadequacies in the legal framework that governs land rights and human rights protections. The case reflects a broader issue in Uganda concerning land ownership and citizens' right to their ancestral lands, which could potentially influence future cases and policies related to land tenure and human rights in the region.