NELSON K
Authorities and a group of residents in Rukungiri Municipality on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at Rukungiri Main Stadium, demanding the immediate halt of an ongoing VIP pit latrine construction project being undertaken inside the stadium’s playing field.
The project, valued at UGX 65 million, was awarded to Mugiri Rwenkurijo Constructions Company Ltd. However, several municipal councillors claim they were not aware of the project and allege that it was neither discussed nor approved by the municipal council.
The protest, largely attended by leaders and residents from Southern Division, saw demonstrators gather at the stadium in an attempt to forcefully stop the ongoing excavation works.
Southern Division LC3 Chairperson Denis Ngabirano said the division leadership had never approved or discussed the project in its council meetings. He noted that during a recent municipal council meeting, the matter was raised before the newly elected Rukungiri Municipal Mayor Isaiah, who also reportedly indicated that he had no knowledge about the project and suggested that it belonged to the Southern Division.
Ngabirano dismissed that claim as false and described the project as illegal. He further accused some municipal officials of using such projects as a cover to misuse and embezzle funds collected from property tax over the years, claiming that the funds had never been properly accounted for or shared with the divisions.
Several municipal councillors also expressed shock over the project. Kenneth Munshabe, the Rwentondo Ward councillor, and Innocent Muhwezi, councillor for Kagashe Ward and a member of the municipal council works committee, said the construction came as a surprise since it had not been presented or approved in the council meeting held on 24 February 2026.
They called on the responsible authorities to halt the construction immediately and first present the project for proper discussion and approval by the municipal council. The councillors further criticized the outgoing Rukungiri Municipal Mayor Charles Makuru and the new Town Clerk, accusing them of allegedly using the project to mismanage taxpayers’ money.
Other councillors, including Innocent Rubarondesa of Kinyansano Ward and Gideon Turyamubugana of Kanyinya Ward, said they do not oppose the idea of constructing a VIP toilet at the stadium but strongly object to its location inside the playing field.
According to them, building a toilet in the middle of the field poses sanitation concerns and could obstruct activities such as athletics competitions that require adequate space and clear passage.
The leaders urged municipal authorities to consider relocating the facility to a more appropriate area within the stadium or instead renovate the existing toilets to meet higher standards.
In response to the concerns, Rukungiri Municipal Town Clerk Isaiah Tumwesigye defended the project, stating that construction would continue because the facility is intended to serve as a temporary solution.
Tumwesigye explained that the municipality expects the Uganda Cities and Municipal Development (USMID) Programme to commence soon, and the existing toilets located near the stadium road are likely to be demolished during planned road improvement and expansion works under the project.
He added that earlier attempts had been made to have the toilets constructed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) during the Tarehe Sita 2026 celebrations, but the proposal was declined due to budget constraints and competing priorities.
The Town Clerk noted that if residents are dissatisfied with the location of the toilet facility, they can propose an alternative site within the stadium grounds rather than resorting to confrontational protests and accusations against municipal officials.
