RDC warns locals against land fights with investor

Mr Kyeyune said individuals fuelling confusion in the community will be dealt with.

Tororo RDC Damulira Kyeyune has cautioned residents against hooliganism and land disputes.

He made the call after residents reportedly threatened to lynch officials of Eastern Mining Limited, a firm seeking to put up a mineral plant in the area.

Mr Kyeyune said individuals fuelling confusion in the community will be dealt with.
He was yesterday addressing residents of Abur Village in Rubongi Sub-county during a meeting to settle disputes with Eastern Mining Limited.
Mr Kyeyune said residents should embrace peaceful means of solving disputes instead of resorting to violence that he says may scare away an investor who wants to bring development to the area.

“An investment in the area should be viewed as a golden opportunity to the indigenous people much as it has other negative impacts to the society, especially displacement of families. But this should scare them,” he said.
Residents accuse employees of Eastern Mining Limited of using dubious means to acquire land, an act they say could pave way for eviction of unwilling sellers.

Mr Wilson Oburu, a resident, said some people have sold their neighbours’ land and left the area since the transactions are not transparent enough to allow neighbours or LCs to witness it.
He accused the company of dictating compensation rates which do not tally with the value of land.

Mr Kyeyune advised the investor to liaise with district surveyors to give actual land measurements to enable locals get adequate compensation using district rates.
Land disputes have become a common national challenge, pitting investors against locals as well as government officials.

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