Residents of Katiiko B Cell in Busimbi Division, Mityana Municipality, have welcomed a directive by local leaders ordering the reopening of a community access road to a public well that had allegedly been blocked by a private landowner, leaving hundreds of families struggling to access clean water.
The directive followed a community meeting convened by Busimbi Division Mayor Haruna Kibirige Nziza after residents petitioned authorities over the closure of the pathway leading to the village's only reliable water source.
For several months, residents said they had been forced to walk longer distances in search of water after businessman Reagan Ssempijja, who recently acquired land in the area and established a livestock farm, allegedly fenced off the access road that the community had traditionally used to reach the well.
"This well has served this community for many years. We were shocked when the road leading to it was blocked because water is a basic necessity that everyone depends on," said resident Margret Nakayiza during the meeting.
Residents further claimed that although Ssempijja legally purchased the land from a fellow villager, the sale agreement did not include ownership of the community access road.
"We repeatedly reported the matter to local leaders, but no action was taken. That is why we appealed to higher authorities to intervene," another resident, Matthew Matovu, said.
Following the meeting, local leaders, residents, and the landowner jointly inspected the disputed area. During the inspection, the original land sale agreement was produced by the seller and read publicly by the mayor. According to those present, the agreement did not indicate that the public access road to the well had been sold together with the land.
In response, Ssempijja proposed constructing an alternative access route outside his farm, arguing that frequent movement through his property interfered with his farming activities.
"I am willing to provide another route so that residents can continue accessing water without passing through my farm," Ssempijja told the meeting.
However, residents rejected the proposal, insisting that the original access road should remain open because it had served the community for many years.
"We are not asking for a new route. We only want the original road restored so that everyone can continue accessing the well as before," the residents said.
After hearing both sides, Busimbi Division Mayor Haruna Kibirige Nziza, together with Mityana Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Chrizestom Buyondo Waswa, directed Ssempijja to immediately reopen and restore the original access road to the community well.
"Public access to essential services such as water must be protected. The original pathway should be reopened and restored to its previous condition," Mayor Kibirige ruled.
Assistant RDC Chrizestom Buyondo Waswa also cautioned village chairpersons against siding with wealthy landowners at the expense of community interests.
"Local leaders must protect the rights of all residents equally. They should never allow vulnerable communities to lose access to essential public resources," Waswa said.
Ssempijja was given one week to fully restore the road to its original condition, allowing residents to resume using the community well without obstruction.
Local authorities said they will monitor compliance with the directive to ensure it is implemented and to prevent similar disputes over public access routes in the future.
