Senior Reporter
Residents of Mukirwa Cell, Nyamabare Parish, Ikumba Sub-county, Rubanda District, are alleging that Nyamabare Church of Uganda Parish, under Nyaruhanga Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Kigezi, is forcefully seizing their 10 acres of land.
John Bosco Tumwesigye reported that residents were taken aback last Thursday when the Ikumba area land board committee, led by chairperson Tweheyo Charles, arrived with documentation to commence land title processing. Tumwesigye asserted that they were informed of Nyaruhanga Church of Uganda’s request to the sub-county land board committee to initiate procedures.
Tumwesigye accused Ikumba sub-county chief Dianah Shemeza of colluding with the church to take over the land.
Bangyirekyi Leodenus, the LC1 chairperson of Mukirwa, affirmed that the land belongs to his village and criticized leaders for their failure to faithfully serve the people. Residents, including Pio Biryaruha (55), Gabriel Kassera (96), and Nyanjura Vangilista (80), expressed astonishment at how the land came under the church’s control, as it has been utilized for grazing animals and served as a polling station for their village for an extended period.
Tweheyo Charles from Mushanje Parish, who serves as the chairperson, and Emmanuel Arineitwe Kabira, the committee’s secretary and also the Ikumba Sub-County council speaker representing the area land committee, claimed they were unaware of the land disputes. They stated that they came to initiate land title procedures at the church’s invitation, but unfortunately, the Church didn’t attend.
Reuben Tumwesigye, the secretary of the Rubanda district land board, assured locals that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and urged them to remain calm as it is already before the courts.
