Juliet Ninsiima, a kibanja holder, says that she was in her garden when some employees of the Chinese firm armed with machetes threatened to hack her unless she vacates the land.
More than 1000 people
from five villages in Madudu Sub-county in Mubende district are facing eviction from their homes to pave way for Fomasa, a Chinese firm to plant Bamboo trees.
Some of the residents told our reporter
that the owners of the Chinese firm are threatening to arrest whoever doesn’t vacate
the land and have already injured some of their colleagues.
The affected residents raised the
complaints in a meeting with Mubende Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Nakaye Kabonge.
Juliet Ninsiima, a kibanja holder, says that she was in
her garden when some employees of the Chinese firm armed with machetes threatened
to hack her unless she vacates the land.
//Cue in “Abasaija abo bayineho emiti….
Cue out…okubakwenda,”//
Stephen Ndezimaana, another resident accused Fomasa
Company of forcefully taking over their land and fabricating
cases against those opposed to their plans.
//Cue in “Okunyigirizibwa kwetulina…
Cue out…alikukitanda alimubulumi.”//
Peter Kayiira, a resident of Madudu village, says that they have resolved to sue the Chinese
firm for hounding them over their land.
//Cue in “Ffe nga abantu banansi…
Cue out…tukyogera lwakulumwa.”//
The Madudu sub-county
chairperson, Edward Abyalemye, said that most of the
occupants of the contested land are in police custody and while others are being
threatened by the owners of Fomasa company.
//Cue in “Ffenna abantu banno bolaba…
Cue out…tugisuuze ettaka lyaffe”//
In his response, Nakaye
Kabonge assured residents that no one is going to evict them and asked them to
continue cultivating food.
//Cue in “Teri muntu alina teeka…
Cue out…nabebibanja.”//
One of the Managers of Fomasa company only identified as Anna
said that they are not interested in commenting on the complaints of the residents because
they know what they are doing.
Mayengo Godfrey
Freelancer