NEWS- Over 300 animal grazers from Mukirwa Cell, Nyamabare Parish, Ikumba Sub-county, Rubanda District, led by their Chairperson Tumwesigye JohnBosco, are accusing Nyamabare Church of Uganda of forcefully grabbing their 10 acres of land.
According to Tumwesigye, residents were shocked last Thursday when the Ikumba area land board committee, led by Chairperson Tweheyo Charles, who also serves as the Mushaje Parish chairperson arrived with documents to initiate land title processing. The grazers were informed that Nyaruhanga C.O.U had requested the sub-county land board committee to begin the procedures.
JohnBosco expressed surprise at the involvement of the area village Chairperson from Kamuhoko cell, as the land in question is located in Mukirwa Cell and accuses the Ikumba sub-county chief, Ms. Dianah Shemeza, of supporting the church in the land grabbing.
He added that the church began the land grabbing process in 2005, but the court dismissed the case. However, the church forcefully had wanted to install boundary stones, prompting the grazers to bring the matter back to the high court in Kabale.
The judge referred both parties to mediator Counsel Dan Bitwenda, but the church refused to present evidence/documents.
Bangyirekyi Leodenus, the LC1 chairperson of Mukirwa cell, confirmed that the land belongs to his village and criticized leaders for failing to serve the people faithfully.
Local residents, including Pio Biryaruha aged 55, Gabriel Kassera aged 96, and Nyanjura Vangilista aged 80, expressed surprise at how the land ended up in the hands of the church, as it has been used for grazing animals and as a polling station for their village since longtime time ago.
Tweheyo Charles from Mushanje Parish who doubles as the chairperson and Emmanuel Arineitwe Kabira secretary on the committee who doubles as the Ikumba Sub-County council speaker, representing the area land committee, stated that they were unaware of the disputes and had come to initiate land title procedures at the church’s invitation but unfortunately the Church didn’t show up.
Tumwesigye Reuben, the secretary of the Rubanda district land board, assured locals that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and urged them to remain calm as it is already in the courts.
Rev. Ivan Byabagambi of Nyamabare Church of Uganda defended the church’s claim to the land, stating that it has belonged to the church for a long time and has been used by Nyamabare Primary School adding that they are waiting for the High Court in Kabale to rule on the matter.
