Senior Reporter
Authorities in Rubanda District have put a stop to activities on the contested Nyakatugunda Playground in Rubanda Town Council.
Christians from Kabirizi Catholic Parish in Kabale Diocese are accusing three individuals of encroaching on the playground.
The Rubanda Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Eric Ssewandigi, issued the directive following a crisis mass held at the playground. The mass, presided over by the Kabirizi Catholic Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Prosper Turyahabwe and assisted by Rev. Fr. Zaverio Tindimwebwa, was conducted under tight security provided by the Uganda Police.
The priests accused Rubanda Town Council LC3 Chairperson, Norman Tushabe, Fred Kaharata Rwegyemera, and Gerevazio Begumisa of encroaching on the 30-acre piece of land located in four villages in Nyakabungo and Nyaruhanga Wards in Rubanda Town Council. They claim the land was given to the church in 1985. The priests also urged Christians to take action against the accused if they trespass on the disputed land again.
When the Rubanda District Police Commander, Abel Barugahare, asked the priests to remain calm and let the law take its course, Fr. Turyahabwe threatened to mobilize all Christians to march to the Office of the Rubanda Resident District Commissioner in protest. This prompted Ssewandigi to intervene and halt all activities on the disputed land. He promised to address the issue during a district security meeting scheduled for Friday.
Efforts to reach Rwegyemera and Begumisa for comment were unsuccessful as they did not answer reporters’ phone calls. Tushabe maintained that they legitimately acquired the land.
