RDC enters Muhokya sub-county land dispute to stop destruction of forest

By Edward Makanika and Fahad Masereka

The Kasese Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lt. Joe Walusimbi has today halted the cutting of a forest located in Muhokya sub-county, Kasese district.

This happened minutes after Walusimbi learned that Mubuku prisoners led by their OC Mbuku Prisons Godfrey Komakech had resumed chopping down trees in the forest on disputed land.

Kasese district LC 5 Chairman Godfrey Bigogo had days earlier stopped the prisoners led by Komakech from chopping down trees in the forest. Bigogo was backed up by the Muhokya sub-county LC III chairperson Ernest Kasoke and concerned residents.

Lt Walusimbi asked the angry residents to calm down because the matter would be peacefully resolved. He asked the LC 5 chairperson Bigogo and other area leaders to always alert him when such disputes come up for peaceful resolution.

He said that authorities would listen to both sides to decide on who had the best business plan for use of the land since they are both government entities.

At the same meeting, the former Masaka RDC Bamusedde Bwambale refuted accusations that he was behind the chopping of the trees. Bwambale said he could never use prison labour for such a matter nor encroach on government land.

A resident of the sub-county Cliff Katiko challenged the sub-county to present the land title for the land to settle the dispute. He also, however, called into question what prisons want to use the land for.

Another resident Andrew Amooti expressed disappointment that the RDC had failed to inform the public on who legally owns the land.