Residents from six villages in Kicumbi Parish, Kamuganguzi Sub- County, Kabale District, have accused Yogi Steel Limited of causing excessive pollution that they say threatens the health of people, animals and plants in the area.
The residents, from Omurujanjara, Nyamabare, Rushongati, Kyarugondo, and Nyakateete A and B, raised their concerns on Saturday during a meeting held at the company’s premises in Nyakasharaara, Kicumbi Parish.
The meeting was convened by Ndorwa County West Member of Parliament, Hon. Eliab Naturinda Mporera, to address grievances raised by communities surrounding the iron ore processing plant.
The residents accused the company of releasing excessive dust from its iron ore crushing operations, saying the pollution has disrupted their daily activities and affected their livelihoods.
They said the dust makes it difficult to wash and dry clothes, while also affecting crops, particularly green vegetables, leading to reduced food production and fears of worsening food shortages.
Residents, including Omurujanjara LC1 Chairperson Tadeo Kyakabare, Remegio Biranga, Evarist Twebaze and Forita Kehoda, also expressed concern that the dust was affecting their health, particularly their respiratory systems.
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Kamuganguzi Sub- County LCIII Chairperson Nicholas Ntegyereize Barintuza said that although the community welcomes the plant’s presence because it provides employment opportunities, the company must introduce measures to protect people living nearby.
Ntegyereize also cautioned women and girls in the surrounding communities against engaging in sexual relationships with the company’s workers, citing concerns about the spread of HIV/AIDS.
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Meanwhile, Hon. Naturinda asked Yogi Steel Limited to construct a temporary shelter near the crushing plant to help contain dust, and to regularly sprinkle water on roads and around the facility to reduce dust emissions.
He also proposed that the memorandum of understanding between Kabale District and the company include provisions for corporate social responsibility, particularly support for nearby institutions such as Kicumbi Secondary School.
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Yogi Steel Limited Legal Officer Ali Wangwami apologized to the communities for the inconvenience caused by the company’s operations.
Wangwami said the company would compensate residents whose crops had been affected by dust from the iron ore crushing plant. He also said the company would connect a water supply to the crushing plant to help suppress dust and minimize pollution in the surrounding communities.
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