MUKONO — Residents of Mbeya Island in Mukono District have called for increased security and protection following the release on bail of Jackson Ssebitosi, also known as “Big Pig,” whom they accuse of involvement in violent incidents on the island.
Ssebitosi was recently arrested on a court order after he allegedly failed to attend court proceedings in a case in which he is jointly charged with Yasin Kasirye and others with attempted murder and robbery.
He spent about two weeks on remand before being released from Kauga Prison on Thursday on bail, pending the hearing of the case scheduled for October 7, 2026, before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mukono.
His release has raised concern among some residents, who say they fear his return to the island together with Kasirye.
The residents have appealed to security authorities to ensure their safety and prevent any possible intimidation or violence as the court proceedings continue.
The duo is facing charges under court file number 1324/2023 in connection with the alleged assault of Fredrick Namara Karuhanga in March 2023.
According to accounts cited in previous reports and court-related material, Namara was allegedly attacked, severely injured and left unconscious near the shores of Lake Victoria. Marine officers reportedly rescued him and took him for medical treatment, where he remained in a coma for several days before regaining consciousness.
Ssebitosi and Kasirye have also previously been arrested alongside other suspects in connection with the death of fisherman Fred Ntambi.
Ntambi was reportedly attacked while fishing on Lake Victoria on March 22, 2023, and later died after sustaining serious injuries.
Reports published at the time identified Ssebitosi among those arrested in connection with the case. He was reported to have acknowledged beating Ntambi after suspecting him of stealing fishing nets, while denying that he intended to kill him.
The suspects were subsequently granted bail after a key prosecution witness, Florence Namujju, reportedly stopped attending court proceedings.
The allegations against Ssebitosi, Kasirye and the other accused persons remain subject to determination by court.
Residents raise wider security concerns
The latest concerns have emerged against the backdrop of a long-running land dispute on Mbeya Island involving a seven-acre property described as Kyaggwe Block 494, Plot 9.
The dispute involves businessman Jackson Twinamasiko and UPDF officer Major Mark Wanyama. The two sides have made competing claims concerning ownership and occupation of the property, with the matter having been the subject of previous court proceedings and media reports.
Previous reporting has also linked the land dispute to criminal complaints and allegations concerning violence on the island.
In February 2026, media reports covered the arrest of Namara in connection with a separate property-destruction case. Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed his arrest and subsequent release on police bond, saying the case file had been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for guidance.
Namara’s lawyers subsequently challenged his inclusion in the case, while other reports have carried competing accounts from people involved in the land dispute.
Major Wanyama has also publicly disputed some of the allegations made against him and has given his own account of the land dispute and the events surrounding the property-destruction case. Nile Post reported in February that Wanyama accused police of frustrating a case involving the alleged demolition of his property on the island.
Meanwhile, earlier reporting by Uganda Radio Network documented the longstanding disagreement over the seven-acre property and the competing claims surrounding its ownership and occupation.
Residents call for protection
Residents who spoke about the latest developments say the release of Ssebitosi has heightened anxiety on the island.
They want security agencies to maintain a visible presence and ensure that residents and witnesses are protected as the criminal and civil matters proceed.
They also want the parties involved in the disputes to allow the courts and relevant authorities to handle the cases without intimidation or interference.
The court is expected to hear the criminal case involving Ssebitosi, Kasirye and their co-accused on October 7.
Ssebitosi, Kasirye and the other individuals mentioned in the criminal allegations have not been convicted of the offences alleged against them. The allegations remain before the courts for determination.
The separate land dispute between the parties also remains subject to legal proceedings.