Written By |
The incident triggered protests as locals demanded the reopening of the road
Search
News Desk
Rubirizi – Residents of Kyanika I and II, Ndangaro Parish in Rutoto Subcounty, Rubirizi District, were left stranded after a community access road was fenced off by two residents, Mauda Kobusingye and Sarah Kukundakwe. The action sparked tension among locals who have long relied on the road for daily transport and trade.
LC1 chairperson Abu Mbamanya, speaking with anger, said residents depend on the road for their livelihoods. He noted that the incident triggered protests as locals demanded the reopening of the road.
Some of the affected residents
According to Mbamanya, the access road has existed “since time immemorial”, with residents often carrying out burungi bwansi (community service) to maintain it. He added that in 2018, the suspects were taken to court, where the magistrate ordered them to halt construction until the matter was resolved. However, they defied the directive and resumed building.
Rubirizi Resident District Commissioner Ahamedi Kinene, accompanied by district security officials, rushed to the scene and declared that blocking public roads is illegal. He urged residents to always seek legal channels in land or road disputes. Kinene explained that after inspecting the scene, he directed the suspects to stop construction because the road was already in public use, including by vehicles. “It is very difficult to stop the community from using this road now,” he emphasized, adding that security personnel had been instructed to arrest and charge anyone found closing a public road, in line with a presidential directive.
Kinene urged residents to always seek legal channels in land or road disputes
Rubirizi District Community Liaison Officer AIP Caleb Twesigye, responding to residents’ concerns, cited the Government Public Land Act, which states:
"All land, whether alienated or not, shall be subject to all existing public rights of way, which shall be reserved on behalf of the public. All such rights of way shall be maintained by the public unless terminated by the direction of the Minister of Lands in writing."
Rutoto Subcounty LC3 chairperson Turyatemba Milton expressed concern over the growing trend of community roads being blocked, despite their importance for transport and development. He warned that such actions inconvenience communities and hinder progress.
Torch Media Africa
