Senior Reporter
Ceylex Engineering PVT LTD, tasked with extending high-voltage electricity from Mirama Hills in Ntungamo District to Rubanda District, is facing criticism for allegedly damaging farmers’ crops in Rukiga District without providing compensation.
The project, launched last year, aimed to extend electricity from Mirama Hills to Rubanda District, where a substation is planned to improve industrialization and address power shortages. Currently, the company is installing power transmission towers along the Ntungamo-Kabale-Kisoro road. However, there’s opposition in Rukiga District, with locals protesting the destruction of their property allegedly without consent or compensation.
Residents of Nyamabare cell, Nyamabare ward in Muhanga town council, are particularly affected, accusing Ceylex Engineering PVT LTD of cutting down their banana plantations. Led by Ntare Ester Ntindiwegi and Byaruhanga Francis, aggrieved farmers have criticized the company for reportedly encroaching on their gardens at night to destroy crops.
They claim that the company’s management unilaterally decided compensation for land with Rukiga district leaders, bypassing the consent of affected landowners. According to the complainants, a roadside plot valued at Shs. 200M was devalued to 12m in compensation negotiations.
Justina Ruyombya, the chairperson of Nyamabale cell, stated she was not involved in the compensation process in her area and therefore couldn’t provide insight into the situation between locals and the Electricity Company.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Rukiga Deputy RDC Zaddok Kamusiime proved unsuccessful, as he cited prior engagements in a meeting and didn’t return calls after locals reported complaints to his office.
Meanwhile, Julius Musinguzi, the Manager of Ceylex Engineering PVT LTD, acknowledged that a few banana plants were indeed cut down during the construction of power transmission towers through Muhanga Town Council. However, he denied claims of refusing to compensate affected locals, asserting that they had disbursed some funds to the complainants and were working on fulfilling the remaining compensation.
