On Monday, May 20, 2024, building aggregate producers at Rukiiko Stone Quarry in Byara Cell and Nyabihinga Rwere Cell, Rwentondo Ward, Eastern Division, Rukungiri Municipality, protested the demolition of their quarry access road.
The Rukiiko Stone Quarry, named after the prominent elder George Rukiiko who lives nearby and shares a boundary with Kasozi Hill, is known as the oldest source of aggregate stones, sand, murrum, and telecom mast establishment materials in the area.
Currently, Valentino Mugisha, a retired Rukungiri District health worker, is constructing a residential house along the access road and has demolished the road reserve, causing a landslide.
Danson Rukiiko, the Chairperson of the Stone Quarry Leadership, clarified that while they are not against infrastructure development, they need the access road to remain open because the stone quarry is the only source of income for the area.
Tumwine Mantirida, a 75-year-old elderly woman, lamented that the stone quarry is her livelihood and expressed frustration over the demolition of the access road.
Eighty-year-old George Rukiiko expressed confusion, stressing that the road is the only main access to his family’s property as well as to the stone, murrum, and sand quarry, plots, and firewood business. He advocated for government intervention.
Kato Dickson, a youth operating in the quarry, highlighted the significant employment opportunities the quarry provides for the youth and the potential increase in theft due to the road closure.
Valentino Mugisha, the defendant, clarified that he is creating a diversion, which the protesters oppose as they want to protect their land from encroachment.
Vincent Byabagambi, the Chairperson of LC2 Rwentondo Ward, advised them to organize an urgent meeting with local leaders to resolve the issue.
By: Mugabe R
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