Kamuntu Investments Limited ED dismisses non-payment & fraud accusation by Kigezi Iron Ore Miners Association

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By Jane Elizabeth Umutangana

KABALE- The Executive Director of Kamuntu Investments Limited, Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera has dismissed the allegations of members of Kigezi Iron Ore Miners Association accusing his company of non-payment and fraud.

Kamuntu, who is also the Rubanda West County Member of Parliament revealed this today while addressing the media at shortly after he held a closed-door meeting with the aggrieved Miners, which was organized by the Zonal Commander for Police Mineral Protection Unit –PMPU Kigezi Office, Barnabas Banyenzaki.

Banyenzaki told our reporter that he summoned both parties after members of Kigezi Iron Ore Miners Association led by Christine Turyakira Nyinabashatu and Kabahena Ngomangyime on Saturday stopped Kamuntu Investments Limited Company from loading the iron ore at in Kirwa Cell, Nyabikoni Ward, in Central Division of Kabale Municipality claiming that they were not paid by the company for the supplied iron ore.

However, Kamuntu dismissed the allegations saying that the move is politically motivated, adding that he paid every individual, who supplied his company with iron ore.

On his part, the Zonal Commander for Police Mineral Protection Unit –PMPU Kigezi Office, Barnabas Banyenzaki told our reporter that he has advised the two parties to seek redress in courts of law.

Banyenzaki also said that he has halted the loading of iron ore at Kirwa Cell, until they harmonize their grievances.

In December of 2021 the Artisanal Miners involved in the iron ore business and owners of land with mining sites in Rubanda and Kabale Districts accused the Rubanda West Member of parliament Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera of fraud and forceful trespass on their land.

A team of technocrats led by the Asst. Commissioner in charge of monitoring and inspection Eng. Joseph Okedi came on a fact-finding mission about the long dispute between Kamuntu Investments Company and the community affected by its mining activities in the region

However, a section of small-scale miners from Rubanda and Kabale District accused the MP of taking their iron ore on credit and failure to pay them.