Four Held as Rurindo Wetland Wrangles Escalate

Rukungiri Police are holding four suspects in connection to the death of Bernard Ruyonga, an employee of Nyarushanje Catholic Parish in Nyarushanje Sub County. Bernard Ruyonga succumbed to injuries at Kisiizi hospital on March 27 following a mob attack.

He is said to have been attacked by a group of residents involved in a dispute with Nyarushanje Catholic Parish over the use of Rurindo wetland. The conflict started in 2014 after a group of residents raided Rurindo wetland and destroyed tea nurseries belonging to Kigezi Highland tea.

Kigezi Highland tea was implementing the project in collaboration with the church. Police have since arrested four suspects in connection with the attack. They are Alexander Ainamani, Vangirista Kemigisha, Kamweba Malias and Medad Buluma. 

Elly Maate, the Kigezi regional Police spokesperson says the four suspects face Murder and aggravated robbery. He explains that in addition to assaulting the deceased, the suspects also made with church property. Matte wonders why the residents resorted to violence when the land conflict is being handled by the district security committee.

Rev.Fr. George Kigambirwoha, the Assistant priest Nyarushanje Parish says they allowed Kigezi Highland tea to use the wetland in line with a decision from Kabale Diocese as a way of generating some income. He says those opposed to the project are hiding under the pretext to protect the environment to frustrate development. 

Harriet Nakamya, the Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner says that she directed Nyarushanje Catholic Parish to halt all activities in the wetland until their differences with the residents are ironed out. In March this year, Flavia Nabugere, the state environment minister banned all activities in the wetland. 

However, Nyarushanje Catholic Parish claims that, they authorized to use the wetland.