Ssebitosi reportedly admitted beating Ntambi after suspecting him of stealing fishing nets but denied intending to kill him. The suspects were later granted bail after Florence Namujju, Ntambi’s sister and a key prosecution witness, reportedly stopped attending court proceedings.
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Residents of Mbeya Island in Mukono District have appealed to security authorities for protection following the release on bail of Jackson Ssebitosi, alias “Big Pig,” whom they accuse of involvement in a series of 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.
After spending about two weeks on remand, Ssebitosi was released from Kauga Prison on Thursday on bail pending the hearing of the case on October 7, 2026, before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mukono.
His release has triggered protests on the island, with residents expressing fears about his possible return, alongside that of Kasirye.
The residents have asked security authorities to prevent the two men from returning to the island, accusing them of being unruly and linking them to violence in the community.
The duo is charged under court file number 1324/2023 in connection with the alleged assault of Fredrick Namara Karuhanga in March 2023.
According to court documents and accounts from residents, Namara was allegedly brutally beaten, burnt and left unconscious near the shores of Lake Victoria.
He was reportedly rescued by marine officers and rushed to hospital, where he remained in a coma for several days before regaining consciousness.
The case is not the first in which Ssebitosi and Kasirye have faced accusations of involvement in serious crime on the island.
They were previously arrested alongside several other suspects over the alleged murder of Fred Ntambi, who was attacked while fishing on Lake Victoria on March 22, 2023.
Ntambi was found by Good Samaritans lying in a pool of blood along the lakeshore with severe injuries. He was rushed to St Bernard Clinic in Katosi, where he later died.
Those arrested in connection with Ntambi’s death included Ssebitosi, who was then 28, Bernard Mateke, 36, Abdul Ssempiira, the then Mbeya LC1 vice chairperson, Yasin Kasirye, the Mbeya LC1 secretary, Richard Ngoobi, Annet Amuron, Sanyu Digonda and Abdul Mugisha.
Ssebitosi reportedly admitted beating Ntambi after suspecting him of stealing fishing nets but denied intending to kill him.
The suspects were later granted bail after Florence Namujju, Ntambi’s sister and a key prosecution witness, reportedly stopped attending court proceedings.
Residents raise wider security concerns
Residents now allege that suspects in the cases have continued to receive protection from influential individuals, particularly Major Mark Wanyama, a UPDF officer who is also involved in a long-running land dispute on the island.
The residents allege that Wanyama has intervened on several occasions to secure the release of suspects. The allegations have not been determined by court.
On February 10, 2026, residents claim Wanyama, working with police, caused Namara to be arrested at a time when the case arising from his alleged assault was before court.
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Namara was reportedly linked to the alleged destruction of property on Mbeya Island under police file number CRB 442/2023. However, residents and documents cited in the dispute indicate that the suspects in that case were headed by Juma Mukwana and others.
Residents further claim that Namara had never recorded a statement in the case and had not interacted with police over the alleged offence. They say the file had previously been sanctioned twice.
His arrest therefore raised questions among residents, particularly because it occurred as the case in which he was an alleged victim was progressing through court.
Court documents and accounts from residents state that Namara was attacked and severely beaten by individuals allegedly associated with Wanyama’s camp.
In a televised interview, Wanyama reportedly acknowledged ordering a confrontation during which Namara was assaulted.
Residents say Namara’s case is part of a broader pattern of alleged violence on the island, claiming that several community members have suffered attacks but have remained silent for fear of reprisals.
Land dispute at centre of tensions
At the centre of the tensions is a seven-acre piece of land identified as Kyaggwe Block 494, Plot 9, on Mbeya Island.
Documents indicate that the land was purchased on November 6, 2019, by businessman Jackson Twinamasiko from Francis Tyaba, a Ugandan living in the United States who had granted power of attorney to Joyce Lutaaya.
The transaction was valued at Shs70 million.
Twinamasiko later alleged that Lutaaya sold the same land to Major Wanyama, triggering a dispute over ownership and occupation.
Twinamasiko subsequently petitioned the UPDF and the President, alleging that Wanyama and armed soldiers had forcibly occupied the disputed property.
Investigations by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and the Special Investigations Bureau reportedly found Wanyama and other soldiers culpable in connection with the allegations. The matter is currently before the UPDF Human Rights Department.
An interim court order was subsequently issued restraining interference with the disputed property pending determination of the civil suit.
On October 21, 2022, the Office of the Inspector General of Police directed authorities to enforce the court order. Despite resistance, the order was eventually implemented in January 2024.
The civil dispute over the land remains before court.
Meanwhile, residents say the combination of the land dispute, allegations of violence and the release of suspects facing serious criminal charges has heightened insecurity on the island.
They are calling on security agencies to protect residents and witnesses and ensure that both the criminal and civil cases proceed without intimidation or interference.
The allegations against Ssebitosi, Kasirye, Wanyama and the other individuals named in the disputes remain contested and have not been finally determined by a court.