AMOS K
Residents and local leaders from Rugarama North Sub-county in Ntungamo District have expressed strong concerns over the recent decision by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to allocate government land to a Muslim group.
The ruling, made on Friday, January 31, at the Ntungamo District headquarters, officially granted the land to the Muslim community after months of dispute.
Jimmy Mukasa, a resident of Rugarama North and one of the individuals who has been using the land, voiced his frustration, stating that the land has been crucial for many locals. It has been used for farming, animal rearing, and other community projects such as afforestation.
“We are deeply disappointed because this decision was made without consulting the residents. Many people will suffer if this issue is not handled properly,” Mukasa said.
Speaking on the matter, Amanya Ivan Rwanyakibale confirmed that the land had indeed been allocated to the Muslim group. However, he emphasized that the district leadership, along with other council members, is preparing to appeal the decision in court, arguing that it was biased.
“We are working to ensure this land is protected until the court makes a final ruling. The mandate of the Equal Opportunities Commission does not include giving out land, so we will challenge this decision in court,” Rwanyakibale assured residents.
On the other hand, Timothy Ntare, the legal officer of the Equal Opportunities Commission, defended the ruling. He explained that the EOC is a government institution authorized by the Ugandan Constitution to handle such cases.
“After receiving complaints from the Muslim community that their land was being encroached upon, we conducted thorough investigations. Our findings confirmed that the land rightfully belongs to them, which is why we exercised our mandate to officially allocate it to them,” Ntare stated.
However, he clarified that the Muslim community has been instructed not to use the land for the next 30 days. This grace period allows any residents who believe they have a claim to the land to appeal the decision in court.
Residents are now awaiting further legal action, as the dispute over the land allocation continues.
