Derrick A
Residents of Kanyabizo village in Ntungwa parish, Nyamirama sub-county, Kanungu district, have expressed dismay over an unidentified mining company encroaching on recently conserved wetlands by NEMA in their area.
An anonymous area leader and a resident of Kanyabizo village informed our reporter that they had agreed to vacate the wetlands, previously used for rice cultivation, to conserve the environment. However, they find it unjust that an unidentified company is now extracting minerals from the area.
They disclosed that last week, more than five excavators were brought in for mineral extraction, a move that even local leaders, from the village to the sub-county level, were unaware of. They are demanding explanations from higher authorities.
The residents claim that the government never compensated them, leaving them without the means to purchase alternative land. They were advised to use the land for animal rearing, but now they are distressed to see an unidentified company mining minerals on their land.
Gad Kabagambe, the Nyamirama sub-county chairperson, stated that the company engaging in mineral mining in Ntungwa parish did not seek consultation with sub-county authorities, rendering their activities illegal.
Deputy RDC of Kanungu district, Gad Ruganju Ahimbisibwe, informed our reporter that he does not know the mining activities in Nyamirama, suggesting possible connections with influential figures within the government.
He emphasized that in light of residents’ concerns, the mining company should cease its activities to allow for a thorough understanding of how they encroached on the land.
