EDITOR
Residents of Nyabugando Village in Kyabahanga Parish, Bwambara Sub-county in Rukungiri District have formally petitioned the Inspectorate of Government, calling for urgent intervention to protect a government-funded irrigation scheme that they say is critical to their livelihoods and local food security.
The petition, also copied to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate Anti-Corruption Unit, follows concerns over the reported removal of key irrigation equipment, including a water storage tank, from the project site without clear communication to the beneficiary farmers.
According to the residents, the irrigation scheme was established in the 2017/2018 financial year under a presidential directive implemented through the Ministry of Water and Environment. The project, built on six acres of land generously donated by the Banguhira Ezra family under a Memorandum of Understanding, was designed to support smallholder farmers affected by recurring drought and unreliable rainfall patterns.
Farmers say the scheme was intended to eventually irrigate up to 20 acres of farmland, improving agricultural productivity, household incomes, and resilience to climate change in the region. However, they now fear that the dismantling and relocation of equipment could derail these development gains.
In their petition, the residents are requesting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the removal of the equipment and are urging authorities to ensure accountability and restoration of the irrigation system. They emphasize that the project represents a vital public investment and a symbol of community-driven development.
Local officials named in the correspondence, including district security and technical officers, are expected to cooperate with any investigations initiated by the Inspectorate. The residents maintain that their action is not confrontational but aimed at safeguarding public resources and ensuring that the project achieves its intended purpose.
Residents describe the petition as a collective effort to defend a project they believe holds the potential to transform agriculture in Nyabugando and surrounding areas. They argue that restoring the irrigation scheme would not only improve food production but also strengthen trust between citizens and government institutions.
