RUBIRIZI, UGANDA – The fencing of a vital community access road by a local family has ignited protests in Rutoto Sub-county, Rubirizi District, causing significant disruption and bringing a simmering land dispute to a boiling point.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The route, which connects the villages of Kyanika I and II, was cut off after Mauda Kobusingye and Sarah Kukundakwe extended their home’s gate across it. The action left residents stranded and sparked demonstrations demanding the road’s reopening.
The LC1 Chairperson for the area, Mr. Mbamanya Abu, expressed the community’s frustration, stating that the road has been a public access route for as long as anyone can remember.
“We have been using this road since time immemorial, even conducting our ‘Burungi Bwansi’ community service to maintain it,” Mr. Abu said.
He revealed that this is a recurrence of the dispute, pointing out that despite a magistrate’s order in 2018 to stop construction pending a resolution, the individuals refused and have now resumed building.
The protest prompted the intervention of the Rubirizi Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Ahamedi Kinene, who rushed to the scene with a team of district security officials. After assessing the situation, he declared the blockage illegal.
“From the evidence I found at the scene, I have directed the suspects to stop construction immediately. The findings are clear: this road has already been established, and the public uses it with their vehicles. It is very difficult to stop the public from using it now,” RDC Kinene stated.
He directed security to arrest and charge anyone attempting to close the public road, emphasizing that this aligns with a standing directive from the President regarding the protection of public infrastructure.
Echoing the RDC’s stance, Rubirizi District Police Commander (DPC) Twesigye Caleb invoked the Government Public Land Act.
He affirmed that all land is subject to existing public rights of way, which cannot be interrupted without written authorization from the Minister of Lands.
Meanwhile, the LC3 Chairman of Rutoto Sub-county, Mr. Turyatemba Milton, expressed deep concern over the growing trend of blocking community roads, stating that such actions both inconvenience residents and hinder local development.
“This is a serious concern. Many community roads are being blocked yet they are vital for transport and development. Such actions only serve to inconvenience the entire community,” Turyatemba said.
The situation remains tense as residents await the full reopening of the road, with security officials monitoring the area to ensure compliance with the directive.
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