Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom will make a formal statement about last week’s clashes between its tenant – Hoima Sugar Limited and local communities around Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
The clash between the two parties adds on the five-year long dispute over Bugoma forest between the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, a traditional neighbour of the conservation area.
The latest clashes have attracted the attention of the top district and regional security officials who visited the area to interact with local leaders and the aggrieved communities in Nyairongo areas on Wednesday this week.
The security forces later in the day visited Bunyoro Kingdom Prime Minister, Mr Andrew Kirungi Byakutaaga, who could not readily make a statement about the fresh forest land dispute.
“I cannot immediately tell who is wrong. Give us two weeks to form a committee that will make a clear report and it will be given to you”, said Mr Byakutaaga.
The Albertine Regional Security Committee formally ordered for cessation of any development activities on the land in dispute.
This order does not stop Hoima Sugar Limited from continuing to clear the forest that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) technically identified as a grassland on clearance for development. It instead deals with the border parts with community.
Brig Gen Daniel Kakono, the Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) Regional Commanding Officer said they will keep the ear to the ground to ensure the conflict is peacefully resolved.
ASP Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Regional Police Spokesperson, said the activities were halted in five villages including Rwenkobe and Rwembaaho among others covering the disputed land.
The engagements were organised by Kikuube District Resident Commissioner (RDC), Mr Amlan Tumusiime, following reports that the aggrieved communities were scheming the appropriate violent means to face workers of Hoima Sugar Limited and their security forces if they continued operating on the land they believe belongs to the community members.
Some have allegedly planted maize in the garden prepared for sugarcane planting by the investor; sending a hard signal.
Mr Tumusiime noted the urgent need to reopen the boundary of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
