The Kabale District Extra-Ordinary Council has recommended renting 15.5 acres of land in Kijonjo Village, Buhara Sub County, Ndorwa East County, to Sino Minerals Investments Company Limited, despite notable disagreements and the absence of members from the District Executive Committee.
The council session, held at the District Rukiiko Hall in Kabale Municipality, was chaired by District Speaker Flavia Kanigizi Nyiinakiza on Friday. The primary agenda was the presentation and discussion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kabale District and Sino Minerals Investments Company Limited.
The MoU was presented by Robert Mugabe, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Kabale District. He stated that the agreement aims to Promote sustainable mineral resource development in the district, ensure environmental protection and preservation, facilitate coordinated corporate social responsibility within SMI operations, strengthen cooperation between Kabale District and Sino Minerals, enhance engagement with the Buhara community, and improve livelihoods through employment and development projects.
Speaker Nyiinakiza urged councilors to review the MoU and suggest amendments before forwarding the recommendation to the Ministry of Local Government and eventually to Parliament for approval.
However, concerns were raised by Councillor Saturday George Kakwenza, representing workers and Kamuganguzi Sub County. He questioned why Sino Minerals had been operating in the area without a formal agreement and proposed the formation of a committee of the whole council. He called for more time for councillors to thoroughly study the MoU before making a final decision.
Kakwenza’s proposal sparked a heated debate. He received support from Kyanamira Sub County Councilor Joshua Musinguzi and Gilbert Nuwanganyira of Butanda Sub County, who also stressed the importance of giving councilors adequate time to internalize the contents of the MoU.
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Despite the opposition, Speaker Nyiinakiza, backed by Councilor Richard Mporera (representing the elderly) and Central and Northern Division Councilor Verah Tumuhekyi, pushed for the immediate adoption of the MoU. They argued that the recommendation should proceed to counter the actions of the District Executive Committee members who had boycotted the session. Mporera called on councillors to focus on building a lasting legacy and approve the lease.
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Nyiinakiza’s stance angered a section of councillors. Councillor Kakwenza accused the Speaker of trying to dictate the council’s direction and intimidating members with differing opinions. In response, the Speaker later apologized but urged the councillors to consider her perspective and pass the resolution to honour all aspects of the MoU.
Eventually, Baker Turyamureeba, Chairperson of the Production, Natural Resources, Trade, Industry, and Local Development Standing Committee, tabled the motion to approve the lease recommendation. The motion passed with the council’s endorsement. Turyamureeba argued that the move would boost the district’s local revenue.
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