Staff Reporter
Residents of Kanywa cell in Kakoma ward, Mbarara City North division, are in conflict with Mbarara City Council leaders over the burial of deceased individuals near Kanywa water dam.
According to locals, unidentified individuals buried the remains of over forty unclaimed bodies overnight in the area this Tuesday. The residents are now demanding that the city council immediately remove these bodies from the area.
This situation arises from the fact that Mbarara City lost its previous burial grounds in Rwobuyenje, Mbarara City North division, in 2023 due to a legal dispute over land encroachment, leaving the city council without a designated area for unclaimed bodies.
As a temporary solution, the city council identified Kanywa land as a new burial ground until proper arrangements could be made. However, in a council meeting held at Mbarara City Council Hall Boma Kamukuzi, city councillors, led by Godfrey Baryomunsi, the councillor for Kakiika A, expressed concerns about the decision-making process. They questioned how the city executive committee, under the leadership of Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, identified Kanywa land without consulting local stakeholders.
During the council session chaired by Speaker Bonny Tashobya Karusya, councillors proposed an emergency meeting between the affected residents and Mbarara City Council leaders to address the issue.
