Authorities in Ibanda Municipality have officially banned all farming and stone quarrying activities around Ibanda Hill in a decisive move to conserve the environment and restore the ecological integrity of the area.
The decision was reached during a community engagement meeting held on Wednesday at Katooma Catholic Church, attended by over 300 people,many of whom have directly benefited from the stone quarrying and farming activities around the hill.
Chairing the meeting, Ibanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Mbetegyerize said the environmental degradation caused by human activity on the hill had reached critical levels and could no longer be ignored.
“We must weigh the long-term environmental consequences of our actions. The destruction around Ibanda Hill threatens not only biodiversity but also the future of our community,” Mr. Mbetegyerize said.
“Those with crops this season will be allowed to harvest, but no one should plant on the hill in the September season. Instead, we are encouraging people to hire land in lowland areas and continue farming sustainably,” he added.
Mr. Mbetegyerize further advised residents to form organised groups in order to benefit from government livelihood programs.
The Ibanda Municipality Senior Environment Officer, Mr. Robert Tumwesigye, emphasised that the grace period initially given to residents had elapsed, and strict enforcement of the ban would now begin.
“We engaged the community in April and gave them ample time to prepare. That time is now over. Enforcement measures will commence to protect the hill from further damage,” Mr. Tumwesigye stated.
Meanwhile,Josephat Murangira, the Senior Community Development Officer for Ibanda Municipality, offered practical guidance on how affected residents could transition into new livelihoods.
“We are ready to support you in forming community-based groups that can access government funding and development initiatives. Let us work together to find sustainable alternatives,” said Mr. Murangira.
Despite the clear intentions for environmental preservation, many residents voiced concern over the sudden loss of their main sources of income.
“We have been feeding our families through farming and quarrying on this hill. We feel abandoned,” lamented one community member during the meeting.
Authorities, however, reassured residents that no one would be left behind and that the government would support their transition into alternative and sustainable income-generating activities.
The ban marks a significant shift in how natural resources around Ibanda Hill will be managed and signals a broader commitment by local leadership to environmental conservation.