Christians of St. John’s Bugongi Church of Uganda Parish in the Diocese of Kigezi on Sunday evening blocked Tera Industrial Development Company, a Chinese firm, from allegedly commencing iron ore exploration activities on church land in Rwanshunju Cell, Upper Bugongi Ward, Northern Division, Kabale Municipality.
The Christians, who mobilized themselves at the disputed land, questioned how the company gained access to the church property without the knowledge or consent of church leaders and the congregation.
Collins Saturday Kahesi, the Chairperson of Planning at St. John’s Bugongi Parish, who led the protest, said they received information from concerned residents at around 3:00 p.m. that Chinese nationals had started setting up mining equipment on the church land.
Kahesi said Christians immediately rushed to the site and found operations underway without the consent or knowledge of the congregation.
He noted that Christians were unaware of any agreement between the church and the company regarding iron ore exploration on the land. He added that the congregation was demanding clarity on who authorized the Chinese contractors to begin the activities.
CUE IN KAHESI…..ON THE MATTER…RR/ENG//
Twesigyire Felix, the former Auditor of the Parish Council at St. John’s Bugongi Church of Uganda, said they contacted Rev. Henry Nzaana, the Parish Priest, over the matter, but claimed he was also unaware of the activities.
Twesigyire accused some church leaders of repeatedly engaging in transactions involving church property without informing or consulting Christians. He warned that there was growing concern among believers over the alleged misuse of church assets and called on church authorities to explain the situation.
CUE IN TWESIGYIRE….ON CHURCH LEADERS…RR//
The Christians later staged a protest at the church premises, demanding answers from Rev. Nzaana over claims that church land had been handed over to investors without the congregation’s consent.
During a meeting held inside the church between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Rev. Nzaana commended Christians for raising concern over the matter but declined to publicly disclose details of the agreement.
He said the matter would instead be discussed during daytime hours, adding that there was no cause for alarm since government authorities had already intervened.
However, Richard Mugayehwenki, the former Rubanda District Inspector of Schools and a Christian at the parish, urged Rev. Nzaana not to divert from the main issue that had brought together church leaders, Christians, and representatives of the Chinese company.
CUE IN REV NZAANA AND MUGAYEHWENKI….ON THE MATTER…..RR//
Brian Munanura, the Deputy General Manager of Tera Industrial Development Company, defended the company’s presence on the land, saying they had followed the right procedures in securing a contract for iron ore exploration.
Munanura claimed that church leaders signed a Shs1 billion agreement with the company and said he possessed all the necessary documentation, which he was ready to share with Christians.
He explained that although the land belongs to the church, it had allegedly been contracted to one Jacob, who reportedly lacks a license to conduct iron ore exploration. Munanura said the company’s role was to assess the quality and quantity of the mineral before any official mining activities could begin.
CUE IN MUNANURA…..ON MINING ACTIVITIES…RR//
Church leaders, Christians, and representatives from Tera Industrial Development Company are expected to hold a harmonization meeting at St. John’s Bugongi Church of Uganda Parish today at 12:00 p.m.
