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Inter-district boundary wrangles soar in east
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Local Government, Mr John Walala (2nd right), and other officials aboard a boat on River Namatala for a meeting over the Budaka -Butaleja boundary early this year. PHOTO BY MUDANGHA KOLYANGHA.
BUDAKA/BUTALEJA- Inter-district boundary wrangles in the eastern region are on the rise mostly among people living on the boundaries of Budaka and Butaleja, Tororo and Butaleja, Mbale and Butaleja, Bukwo and Kween, Pallisa and Bukedea districts.
Despite interventions from government officials especially the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, and junior Lands minister Persis Namuganza, the conflicts have continued to rise and have on several occasions turned fatal.
In Budaka District, residents have for the past years been involved in fights over land located between Suni and Hisega areas. An area popularly known for producing high quality rice, sugarcane, water melon and maize yields.
The boundaries of the wetland areas along River Namatala, especially Lyama Sub-county, were altered when the river changed course during the El-Nino rains in 2008, pushing the bank more in Budaka, making some Banyole lay claim.
“Our farmers are now stressed but calm should be restored. The ministry of Lands should urgently consider addressing the matter to avert future fights,” the Budaka Resident District Commissioner, Mr Chris Mike Okiria, said.
According to residents it’s only if government demarcates the area that the fights will end.
Tororo and Butaleja districts are conflicting over Nalusanga and Nakwasi wetlands. Twinned with the tribal difference between the Japadhola and the Banyole, the land conflict has always been brutal resulting into blocking residents from crossing into either side of the two districts.
“The two communities have inter-married on either side and have all along been working together but it’s unfortunate that the situation has culminated into a serious fight causing insecurity in the area,” Okiria said.
Whereas the Bagisu of Mbale and Bagwere of Budaka have also been involved in disagreement over ownership of the Namatala wetland, the situation has remained calm after the 2004 inter-district boundary conflict that left scores dead and dozens injured.
However, both communities have continuously accused their leaders of betraying them and selling their interests in the land issues.
The wetlands under contention include; Nakwasi, Doho-Muhula, Hisega, Bunghanji, Kibiniki, Namatala, Budumba and many others.
Farmers have encroached the wetlands to grow rice and yams while developers have also apportioned themselves land which has led to clashes.
Although the Lands ministry recently re-surveyed the disputed land, the two districts are still waiting for the report.
However, the Budaka District chairman, Mr Sam Mulomi, has accused police of taking sides while handling the on-going Budaka-Butaleja boundary feud, by escorting residents from Butaleja to slash perennial crops planted by the Budaka farmers.
Mr Mulomi says without giving substantial evidence that the police in Butaleja have continuously and reportedly armed civilians with guns to cause havoc in Budaka.
“Police have totally failed to perform their duties but instead are arming civilians with guns and this is on record that tear gas canisters were recovered and handed over to security agencies for action,” Mr Mulomi said.
When contacted, the Bukedi region police spokesperson, Mr Sowali Kamulya, called the accusations baseless, saying there is no way police can harm civilians.
“This business of trading counter-accusation between the two districts and then suck in the police is quite unfortunate and regrettable. Police are there to execute their mandate,” Mr Kamulya said.
In a bid to find lasting solutions to the disputes, leaders from Budaka and Butaleja have been engaged in endless meetings which have resulted into suspension of any activity at the contested land in Buwemba swamp, Lyama Sub-county.
During one such meeting held on November 8, 2016, it was agreed that both districts should secure surveyors to kick start with the demarcation as temporal measure awaiting surveyors from the ministry.
Mr Richard Gulume, the Butaleja RDC, advised that a technical team of eight members be selected from the two districts and be mandated to print out maps from the ministry of Lands to guide them during the temporal demarcation on the contested land to avert more bloodshed.
However, during a subsequent inter-districts meeting held on November 12, the Butaleja District chairperson, Mr Richard Waya, and the Budaka County MP, Mr Kezekia Mbogo, counter accused each other of fueling the Budaka, Butaleja boundary dispute.
Speaking at an emergency inter-district meeting recently, the cultural leader of the Bagwere, the Ikumbania, John Weyabire and his counterpart Sekulu Martin Hayinja of the Banyole, pledged to work together to solve the outstanding boundary.
“We need to come together as brothers and sisters in terms of development. The Banyole and Bagwere had before worked together and which should be rejuvenated to strengthen that relationship,” Mr Weyabire said.
