UGANDA, Ntungamo | Real Muloodi News | Residents of Nyarubaare Parish in Ntungamo Sub-county, Ntungamo District have initiated a project to build a community police post at Kyangara Trading Centre, aimed at safeguarding community land from potential grabbers.
Under the local community service initiative known as ‘bulungi bwa nsi’, led by the parish chairperson, Mr Silagi Murangira, residents have pooled resources and volunteered labour to construct a police facility near the contested playground that neighbours are attempting to claim.
Mr Murangira emphasised the importance of fully protecting the area, stating, “We have mobilised resources and those who have no money have offered their labour. We need this place to be fully protected. We have people who have been threatening to take this land, we believe with a police post here, no one will touch it.”
On Wednesday,28th February, 2024, residents from the eight villages of Nyarubaare convened at the disputed land, clearing gardens they believed encroached upon the land boundary and demarcating the new boundary for the property.
The contested land includes a community playground established in 1948, which a neighbouring family began claiming in 2019.
Mr. John Ndyagaba Ssalongo, a resident, emphasised the necessity of constructing a police post to protect the land from potential encroachers, stating, “We have been running to different offices seeking support that our playground land is not taken. We have fought and been injured, some of us have been arrested and released, and there are so many bruises in our hearts, that we are now helping the police to help us. We believe with the police here, it will be impossible for the grabbers to take this land.”
Mr. Elijah Tumwine, the chairperson of Buhandagazi Village, viewed the attempted land grabbing as a fortuitous opportunity, as residents have been paying rent for a police post at Kyangara since 1975.
“We shall now have a permanent police house. Since 1975, we have been renting for police as traders in this town, and we hope this shall end the renting but also stop the grabbers. We can’t imagine losing land where even President Museveni played football from as a young boy to people claiming it to be theirs,” he remarked.
Mr Geoffrey Kamuhanda, a resident, appealed for additional support to complete the construction of the five-room house, which is currently at the wall plate stage.
Ntungamo Sub-county District Councillor Mr Naboth Mpereirwe commended the residents’ dedication to safeguarding their property.
Additionally, the Ntungamo District Police Commander, Mr. Hannington Bushaija, acknowledged the residents’ efforts, noting that such initiatives demonstrate their trust in the police force.
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