MUGABE R
A land dispute has erupted in Buyanja Sub County, Rukungiri District following the opening of a new community road without consent from a local resident.
The road, officially gazetted as Nyabitete Secondary School – Kagina Road, was opened on Wednesday 25th June 2025 and spans approximately half a kilometer from Kaata Cell in Nyabitete Parish. It is intended to facilitate access to key community institutions including Nyabitete Secondary and Primary Schools, Kasheshe Health Centre III, the Archdeaconry, trading centers, and churches across the parishes of Kasheshe, Nyabitete, and Nyakabungo.
However, the road’s creation has sparked contention from Mzee Byarugaba Christopher Bahungwa, also known as Gabito, a 68-year-old retired educationist and resident of Kakasita Cell in Kasheshe Parish. Gabito has vowed to take legal action against Buyanja Sub County, claiming the road was constructed through his private land without prior consent or compensation, and that it destroyed his gardens and deviated from the usual route.
In response, several local leaders have weighed in on the matter, urging for calm and cooperation in the interest of community development. They emphasized the importance of infrastructure for public service access and called on residents to resolve disputes amicably to avoid derailing vital projects.
Meanwhile, Kasheshe Parish Councilor Turyomunsi Edward Kagina presented a land title indicating that the area was earmarked for such a development, potentially offering legal backing for the road construction.
The controversy underscores the need for clear communication and due process in community development projects to prevent conflicts and ensure inclusive progress.
