The disagreement between the two parties follows a move by the Muslim Supreme Council to construct three permanent structures in the land for which National Forestry Authority is claiming ownership.
A row has erupted between National Forestry Authority and Ntungamo Muslim Supreme Council over alleged encroachment on Ntungamo Central Forest reserve. The forest reserve is located in the Eastern division of Ntungamo Municipality.
The disagreement between the two parties follows a move by the Muslim Supreme Council to construct three permanent structures in the land for which National Forestry Authority is claiming ownership.
National Forestry Range Manager Narice Byaruhanga says the leadership of Ntungamo Muslim Supreme Council ignored advice by National forestry authority and went ahead to construct a house, a health centre and a Quran school.
He added that the engagements between the authority and Muslim leadership to identify another piece of land for development have hit a dead end.
However, Ntungamo District Khadi Sheik Swaleh Kashagire told Uganda Radio Network that Muslims are just opening their boundaries and not encroaching on forestry land as claimed by NFA. He adds that the Muslim community in Ntungamo has held ownership over the land since 1920.
Kashagire says that the Muslims in the past had no money to develop the land and that leaving it idle does not reverse its ownership.
Ntungamo Municipality Natural resources officer Felix Turyajunwa told URN that the developments are a challenge. He says that the leaders should be advising others on how to protect natural resources instead of acting of the contrary.
Anthony Kushaba
Guest
