GULU-The Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court has charged and remanded businessman Peter Abola Peter over forcible entry into land belonging to St. Luke Church of Uganda under the Northern Uganda Diocese.

According to the prosecution, between October and November 20, 2025, at Koro Abili Village, Labwoc Parish, Koro Subcounty in Omoro District, Abola unlawfully and violently entered the Church’s land in an attempt to take possession of it.

It is alleged that he transported concrete poles, wire mesh, and chain links onto the property and began fencing it off, including the area hosting a Health Centre II owned by the Church, thereby blocking the community’s access to vital health services.

Abola also allegedly chased away the health centre staff without presenting any lawful court order. Historical records indicate that St. Luke Church of Uganda has occupied the 18-acre piece of land since 1926, during which they’ve established a church, primary school, and Health Centre II that have served the community for decades without dispute until this incident.

Abola has been remanded until December 10, 2025, when the case will come up for further mention.

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The National Identification and Registration Authority has assured Ugandans that their old National ID cards will remain in their possession even as the country transitions to the enhanced generation of high-tech identification cards.

Speaking during the rollout exercise, NIRA Registrar Claire Olama said the old cards will continue to serve as important personal documents and will not be taken away from their owners. She noted that staff will only apply a small administrative mark to show that the cards have expired while keeping all the information readable.

“Our long-awaited moment has arrived. What we registered for, what we hoped to receive, is now here. We are ready to give out the new, more advanced cards,”Olama said, calling on citizens to turn up with their old cards when collecting the upgraded version.

She explained that the old card remains necessary for confirming identity at the point of collection. 

She said, “You present your old card, we verify that you are the rightful owner, and once we establish that your new card is ready, we capture your biometric details, either your fingerprints or your iris, before issuing the new National ID.”

Olama stressed that NIRA officers are required to return the old card to the owner after placing a single punch in a clear corner that contains no personal data. 

She noted, “The old card stays with you. The mark is only to show that its number is no longer active. It should never interfere with your photo, your barcode, or any detail used for identification.”

She said the simple punch helps distinguish valid cards from invalidated ones without damaging the integrity of the document. 

She said, “In the end, you leave with two cards: your new one, clean and untouched, and your old one with a small mark that confirms it has been replaced.”

Olama encouraged Ugandans to approach the collection centres with patience and orderliness. She added that NIRA teams will continue providing updates and responding to inquiries as the nationwide issuance continues.

NIRA is currently distributing the enhanced National ID cards at designated centres across the country, marking one of the largest identification upgrades undertaken in recent years.

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The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has kicked off a phase in the long-awaited process of returning residue land titles to Project Affected Persons (PAPs), beginning with land owners along the Busunju–Kiboga–Hoima Road.

In a statement released on November 25, 2025, Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya said the ministry is committed to resolving the long-standing issue of land titles that were taken over during major road construction projects by the former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).

“This exercise is aimed at ensuring that all rightful land owners regain full possession of their residue land titles after the completion of road projects. We understand the frustration caused by the delays, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience,” Bageya said.

He explained that the process initially commenced with projects such as the Mukono–Katosi/Kisoga–Nyenga Road, the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, and the Kampala Northern Bypass, but has now been extended to cover other completed road corridors.

The ministry has invited affected title holders along the Busunju–Kiboga–Hoima Road to report to designated district headquarters for verification and collection.

“Property owners in Kiboga District should report to the District Headquarters on Thursday, November 27, 2025,” Bageya noted. 

He added, “Those in Kyankwanzi District should come on Friday, November 28, 2025, during official working hours.”

He urged land owners to carry their National Identification Cards and a passport photo to facilitate processing.

“We call upon all affected individuals to turn up with the required documents so that this long-overdue exercise can finally be concluded,” he added.

Bageya also assured the public that additional dates will be communicated for property owners affected by other completed road projects across the country.

“The Ministry will continue to issue further communication to ensure every affected land owner is served. We appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout this process,” he said. 

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