Residents of Kandihe cell in Nyaruhanga ward of Rubanda Town Council, Rubanda District, were left in shock as they woke up to find a vital road in their community fenced off by a local resident without explanation or authority.
The road, which connects Kagunga Trading Centre through Kandihe cell to Buremba cell, serves as a crucial artery for the community, providing access to essential facilities such as Future Generation Nursery and Primary School, Kandihe Playground, a water source, and a church, as well as connecting residents to their homes.
Former LC1 Chairperson of Kandihe Cell, Bangira Angella Nfungigwe, expressed her dismay at the sudden fencing off of the road by Julius Barekye, the former Ikumba Sub County Chairperson, and his wife Vangirista Barekye. Nfungigwe emphasized that the road had been established by locals in the 1980s to facilitate easy accessibility for residents and provide essential links to various amenities.
CUE IN……ANGELLA ON ROAD//RR//
The abrupt action has sparked tension and confusion among residents, who rely on the road for their daily activities. Many are questioning the legality and motivation behind Barekye’s decision to fence off the road without consultation or authorization.
Vangirista Barekye, one half of the couple who fenced off the crucial road in Rubanda Town Council, come forward with an explanation for their controversial actions. According to Vangirista, the closure of the road was not their primary intention but rather a strategic move to attract authorities’ attention to the village’s dire infrastructure needs.
Vangirista revealed that the decision to fence off the road was made with the aim of drawing the authorities’ focus to the community’s road issues.
CUE IN…..VANGIRISTA BAREKYE//RR//
Residents, including the Barekye family say that they had closed the road to attract authorities into a matter were they allege that one of the residents, Korugyendo Joseline had enclosed a crucial footpath on her land, cutting off access for locals. However, Joseline maintains that none of her land agreements indicate the existence of a footpath passing through her property. She asserts her legal rights as a landowner and argues that she is within her rights to fence off her property in accordance with the terms of her land agreements.
CUE IN…….JOSELINE KORUGYENDO//RR//
This escalating tension and crisis surrounding the land and road dispute have prompted intervention from local authorities, including Rubanda Town Council Physical Planner James Mbabazi, and Assistant Inspector of Police (A.I.P) James Kakuru, the Community Liaison Officer for Rubanda District.
The arrival of the authorities signals a concerted effort to address the conflict and seek a swift resolution to the matter. Speaking to the locals, A.I.P James Kakuru emphasized the importance of upholding the law and urged the community to refrain from making decisions without considering proper authority channels. He condemned the closure of the road, attributing it to envy and selfishness, and highlighted the role of local councils in resolving such disputes.
CUE IN……..Ass IP JAMES KAKURU//RR//
In an interview, James Mbabazi, the Rubanda Town Council Physical Planner, attributed the incident to illiteracy and emphasized that such actions should not be taken by individuals without moral authority from leaders and authorities. He announced plans for collaboration between the Town Council and the District to initiate sensitization programs aimed at educating locals on road management objectives.
CUE IN……….JAMES MBABAZI/RR//ENG/
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