Odrek Rwabwogo
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Odrek Rwabwogo, the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has mounted a spirited defence against allegations that he grabbed government land, dismissing the claims as malicious propaganda intended to tarnish his reputation and derail his work in promoting industrialisation and agricultural transformation.
Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda has accused Rwabwogo of grabbing approximately seven square miles of government land in Kiruhura District, displacing local cattle keepers, and failing to pay local farmers for milk.
In an audio message he released recently, Rwabwogo, who is also President Yoweri Museveni’s son-in-law, said he has never taken land that does not belong to him, insisting that his family upbringing and Christian values make such conduct impossible.
“I am deeply hurt because some of you do not know much about me. When you hear these ridiculous claims, you may be tempted to believe them,” Rwabwogo said.
Christian upbringing
He said he was raised by devout Christian parents, Erina and Thomas Rwabwogo, who instilled in him honesty and integrity.
“My mother Erina and my father Thomas were pure Christians. We never lie. God was gracious to us. He gave us life and educated us. We can never take what is not ours,” he said.
Rwabwogo used past land transactions to argue that he has consistently respected property rights, even when doing so came at a personal financial cost.
He cited a dispute involving land he purchased in Kakyeera several years ago. According to him, more than 15 years after acquiring the property, a lawyer representing the Anglican Church informed him that part of the land belonged to the church.
Church intervention
Rather than dismissing the claim, Rwabwogo said he sought the intervention of the Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alfred Muhoozi, before requesting the Commissioner of Lands to conduct a fresh survey of the entire property.
The survey, he said, established that there had been encroachment involving several parties, including the church.
Rwabwogo said he subsequently convened local leaders, church officials and other stakeholders before voluntarily surrendering 63 acres to the church.
“I got 63 acres and handed them to the church even in the presence of the person who sold me that land. I spent so much money seeking the truth without forcing the seller to compensate me,” he said.
He added that despite having occupied the land for more than 12 years—a period that can give rise to claims under Uganda’s adverse possession laws—he chose to surrender it because it was the right thing to do.
“Tell me which person would surrender 63 acres of land that they acquired through blood and sweat. Some people kill each other for one acre,” he remarked.
Rwabwogo also dismissed allegations surrounding land associated with the Nshaara Industrial Park in Kiruhura District, where critics have claimed he is illegally occupying government land.
Industrial park under development
He explained that the industrial park is being developed through a company known as Rise and is intended to stimulate agro-industrialisation by establishing commercial coffee farming and livestock-based industries.
According to Rwabwogo, the project initially focused on setting up a meat processing factory after he personally mobilised Chinese investors to support the venture.
However, the project encountered setbacks after Uganda failed to secure enough cattle to sustain daily slaughter operations and struggled to obtain the certification required for exporting meat to the Chinese market.
The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted the investment plans.
Rwabwogo said the experience reinforced the need for Uganda to establish a Food and Regulatory Authority capable of issuing internationally recognised certification to facilitate exports.
He added that PACEID is currently working with livestock farmers to increase beef production by reducing cattle maturity and reproduction cycles from 18 months to 12 months, a move he believes will guarantee a stable supply of about 40,000 cattle needed as buffer stock for processors.
“This is why you hear these people telling lies about me. Rwabwogo cannot touch what is not his,” he said.
Beyond defending himself against allegations of land grabbing, Rwabwogo highlighted several community development initiatives undertaken by his family and businesses.
Rushere milk processing factory flourishing
He said investments linked to his enterprises have established a milk processing factory in Rushere that has purchased more than Shs11 billion worth of milk from farmers over the last nine years, providing a reliable market for dairy producers.
He added that the initiatives have also extended piped water to local communities, renovated Nkukuru Church, supported Naama Primary School with infrastructure and computers, and promoted industrial development through value addition.
Rwabwogo argued that such investments demonstrate his commitment to improving livelihoods rather than exploiting communities.
He further alleged that the accusations against him are politically motivated and intended to undermine his efforts to promote the ideological principles championed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
He maintained that he would not be intimidated by critics and would continue supporting reconciliation efforts, including visiting imprisoned political actors and assisting their families.
“I have knowledge, I am humble and I have God. Stop this stupidity,” Rwabwogo said, urging Ugandans to reject what he described as falsehoods designed to damage his name.
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