RUBANDA: Residents of Mukirwa Cell, Nyamabare Parish, Ikumba Sub-county, Rubanda District, are accusing Nyamabare Church of Uganda Parish, under Nyaruhanga Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Kigezi, of forcefully grabbing their 10 acres of land.
According to John Bosco Tumwesigye, residents were shocked last Thursday when the Ikumba area land board committee, led by chairperson Tweheyo Charles, arrived with documents to initiate land title processing. Tumwesigye says they were informed that Nyaruhanga Church of Uganda had requested the sub-county land board committee to begin the procedures.
Tumwesigye pinned Ikumba sub-county chief Dianah Shemeza for conniving with the church to grab the land.
CUE IN JOHNBOSCO…..ON LAND….RR//
Bangyirekyi Leodenus, the LC1 chairperson of Mukirwa, says the land belongs to his village and criticized leaders for failing to serve the people faithfully. Local residents, including Pio Biryaruha (55), Gabriel Kassera (96), and Nyanjura Vangilista (80), expressed surprise at how the land ended up in the hands of the church, as it has been used for grazing animals and as a polling station for their village for a long time.
CUE IN MUKIRWA RESIDENTS AND LC1…ON LAND…..RR//
Tweheyo Charles from Mushanje Parish, who doubles as the chairperson, and Emmanuel Arineitwe Kabira, secretary on the committee who also doubles as the Ikumba Sub-County council speaker representing the area land committee, stated they were unaware of the land disputes and had come to initiate land title procedures at the church’s invitation but unfortunately, the Church didn’t show up.
CUE IN TWEHEYO AND KABIRA….ON LAND……RR//
Reuben Tumwesigye, the secretary of the Rubanda district land board, assured locals that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and urged them to remain calm as it is already in the courts.
CUE IN TUMWESIGYE….ON LAND…..RR//
However, Rev. Ivan Byabagambi, Nyamabare Church of Uganda Parish Priest, defended the church’s claim to the land, stating that it has belonged to the church for a long time. He mentioned that the matter is in court, and they are waiting for the High Court in Kabale to rule on the matter.
CUE IN REV. BYABAGAMBI…..ON LAND…….RR//
