news 8 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Overgrown Buhikira Palace in Kasese Fuels Crime Fears
Residents and nearby institutions in Kasese are concerned that the derelict and overgrown former Buhikira Royal Palace is being used as a hideout by criminals. They are urging the government to secure or repurpose the abandoned site. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/crime-hideout-fears-mount-over-overgrown-former-buhikira-palace-in-kasese-5624032
Fears are mounting in Kasese Municipality as the former Buhikira Royal Palace, once the seat of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, has become a haven for suspected criminals due to its neglected state. The palace, located in the Muyenga area, has been abandoned and overgrown since a military raid in November 2016.
Nearly ten years on, the site remains a tangle of thick vegetation with no visible security presence. This derelict condition has led to growing unease among local residents and authorities of nearby institutions.
They report that the overgrown compound is increasingly being used by individuals engaging in illicit activities, posing a significant security risk to the surrounding community. The lack of proper upkeep and security has transformed a historically significant landmark into a source of anxiety.
Concerns have been voiced by various community members and school administrators who are directly affected by the proximity of the neglected property. They are calling for immediate government intervention to address the deteriorating situation.
The demands are clear: either the government should take steps to secure and clear the overgrown grounds of the former palace, or it should resolve the legal complexities surrounding the property. This would allow the land to be utilized for productive purposes, thereby mitigating the security concerns and potentially restoring a sense of order to the area.