Senior Reporter
Abel Bizimana, the LC5 Chairman of Kisoro District, has issued a stern warning against the rising issue of land grabbing in the area, threatening to organize a public protest in response. Bizimana expressed his disappointment that Kisoro district continues to face threats from opportunistic individuals taking advantage of the vulnerable Bafumbira community through deceit and betrayal.
Specifically, Bizimana accused Alex Nambajimana, the vice chairperson of Kisoro district, of leading efforts to grab land. These allegations came to light during a recent legal dispute overseen by Assistant Registrar Henry Twinomuhwezi at Kabale High Court. The dispute centered around contested land along the Kisoro-Bunagana Road, with the plaintiff, Abel Agaba, claiming trespassing and unauthorized construction by Nambajimana.
Nambajimana, on the other hand, claims that the Uganda Land Commission allocated the land to him in May 2017. However, Bizimana condemned Nambajimana’s involvement in land grabbing, stressing the responsibility of leaders to protect district land rather than exploit it for personal gain.
Despite Bizimana’s intentions to organize a peaceful demonstration against land grabbers, his plans were hindered by security officials. Nevertheless, he expressed serious concerns about the potential loss of crucial district assets, including government buildings, health facilities, and schools, to these unscrupulous individuals.
Bizimana emphasized that Kisoro District’s land is not up for sale and warned land grabbers that their actions would not be tolerated. He highlighted the historical significance of the disputed land, arguing that decades of ownership cannot be disregarded arbitrarily.
In response to the escalating tensions, Assistant Registrar Twinomuhwezi visited the disputed land to assess the situation firsthand. However, he left without providing immediate comments after conducting interviews on-site. Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Badru Ssebyala, stated that the issue had been raised to the President’s office, urging residents and leaders to remain calm while advocating for the protection of public lands from encroachment.
