RUBANDA, Uganda — Tensions continue to rise over the disputed Murukoro grazing land after members of the Nyarurambi-Nyakabungo Barisa Association accused the Mayor of Rubanda Town Council, Hon. Norman Tushabe, of misleading the community and fueling divisions among residents.
Speaking to Eye Television reporters, angry members of the association, led by Kamugusha Stephen, accused Tushabe of siding with aggrieved members of the Nyarurambi-Nyakabungo Bahingi/Barisa Kwetarana group, despite previously acknowledging that the disputed land belonged to the Barisa Association.
Kamugusha claimed that the association rejected an application letter from Hon. Tushabe seeking membership in their group because they considered him untrustworthy and accused him of causing confusion within the community.
According to a letter dated February 2017 and addressed to the Chairman of Nyarurambi-Nyakabungo Batungi Kwetarana, which was read publicly by Kamugusha Stephen, Tushabe reportedly acknowledged that the Murukoro land belonged to the Batungi and not the Bahingi group.
In the same letter, Tushabe reportedly requested to join the association, identifying himself as a native of Nyakabungo Parish and pledging to respect the rules and regulations governing the group.
This revelation has raised questions among members of the Barisa Association, with Kamugusha wondering why Tushabe would later change his position and side with members challenging the ownership of the land.
Kamugusha further questioned the intentions of the aggrieved Nyarurambi-Nyakabungo Bahingi/Barisa members, arguing that they had earlier consented to the district taking over the land.
He added that when the district moved to title the Murukoro land, it was only members of their association who challenged the process in court, while the current complainants remained silent at the time.
The disagreement over the Murukoro grazing land has continued to spark tensions within the community, with both sides maintaining competing claims over ownership and management of the land.
Efforts by Eye Television to obtain a comment from Hon. Norman Tushabe on the accusations were unsuccessful, as repeated phone calls to him went unanswered.
