MUGABE R
Believers at Nyarubembe Fulgospel Church in Nyarubembe Cell, Kibirizi Parish, Buhunga Sub County, Rukungiri District are seeking justice following an alleged forceful eviction from their church land.
The church, established in 1980 under the leadership of the late Pastor Ephraim Bakizire, was built on land reportedly purchased from Francis Kashaija, who later relocated to Bunyaruguru in Rubirizi District. After acquiring the land, the congregation constructed a simple thatched church using banana fibers, which was later roofed with iron sheets and served the community for over three decades.
In 2007, the believers began constructing an expanded church building roofed with colored iron sheets. The project has been ongoing, but in 2025, conflict erupted when Edurayi Kasande, the widow of the late Pastor Bakizire, and her family allegedly claimed ownership of the land.
According to residents, the dispute escalated on October 17, 2025, when Edurayi reportedly entered the church land, dug holes, and planted coffee trees. On October 27, 2025, machine operators allegedly hired by her returned and cut down trees planted by church members, which the believers interpreted as an act of eviction.
Members of Nyarubembe Fulgospel Church expressed deep frustration over the incident, saying they have worshipped on the land since the early 1990s. They are now calling for government intervention to resolve the matter peacefully.
Local leaders, including Nyarubembe LC1 Chairperson Benon Musasizi, attributed the conflict to previous disagreements involving Edurayi’s requests for church revenue sharing and possible influence from her children. LC2 Chairperson Swaibu Owomujuni confirmed that similar disputes had occurred before and that Edurayi had previously lost the case, though confusion has persisted due to land documents bearing her late husband’s name.
Pastor Micheal Jackson Aribanoha condemned the ongoing wrangles, urging believers to remain united and appealing for government support to protect the church property.
A homicide team from Rukungiri Central Police Station, led by Fred Turikyaroki, visited the scene and commended the believers for remaining calm. The police advised them not to take the law into their own hands as investigations continue.
When approached for comment at her home in Mabunu Cell, Edurayi Kasande declined to speak on the matter.
