Bunyoro Royals Lose Application to Halt Rock Blasting

The High Court in Masindi has dismissed an application filed by the two royals of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom seeking to halt Chongpqing International Construction Corporation (CICO) from blasting Haibale rock.    

Princess Joan Gafabusa and Prince Samuel Kintu Harrison in March dragged CICO, a Chinese firm which was contracted to tarmac Hoima-Wanseko road to court accusing it of illegally blasting Haibale rock which is located in Kyakasato village, Kisukuma parish, Kigorobya Sub-county Hoima district.

The Royals also sued George Kyaligonza who sold the rock to the Chinese.   The royals through their lawyer contended that Haibale rock is where Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom conducts its cultural rituals.

The applicants wanted Masindi High Court to grant an injunction on grounds that they would suffer irreparable damages unless the works are stopped.     

But court on Thursday court presided over by the Masindi Assistant registrar, Simon Kintu Zirutusa, dismissed the application on grounds that the ongoing road works is of strategic importance and halting it would cost the government of Uganda a lot of money in compensation since this is a loan from the government of China.

Speaking to journalists Andrew Obamu who represented CICO welcomed the judgment adding that this will help them proceed with the road construction project without any hindrance.

He added that as a company they have plans to preserve and restore the damaged sites after the works are completed.   

Prince Gafabusa maintained that Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has other rocks which the kingdom would have offered for blasting for the road construction adding that Haibale rock is a big cultural site in the region and it attracts many tourists.