KISORO – At least 240 people who claim to be owners of the contested Rwivovo land in Nyakabande and Chahi sub counties have through their lawyers of Mutungi and Company Advocates written a reminder letter to the president of Uganda asking him to fulfill his pledge of paying them 6.8 billion shillings as a compensation for the land before setting up John Kale institute of Science and Technology (JKIST).
The money was agreed during a meeting between the district leadership led by the former RDC Shaffiq Ssekandi and the land claimants, as a compensation to pave way for the establishment of the institute.
While presenting copies of the letters to the Kisoro district LC5 chairperson Abel Bizimana, the Chairperson for crop farmers who used to occupy Rwivovo land said that they have been following the case for over 18 years with the district but it has failed to clear the debt even after reducing the money from 23 billion shillings to 6.8 billion shillings.
Mr John wonders whether government wants to take over their land without any compensation.
“We have been in court for over 18 years with no resolution. We sat with government and agreed that they pay us 6.8 billion Shillings. We have waited but no answer to date. We have used our lawyers to find out what’s the government’s stand today.” Mr John said.
The chairperson of live stock farmers, Lawrence Byomugabe said that by writing to the president, it’s a reminder of his pledge and expression of suffering that farmers are going through during this covid-19 pandemic.
“We have channeled our plight through the LC5 Chairperson and the area MP so that the president may know our suffering. Both the Chairperson and the MP have endorsed our letter.” Said Byomugabe.
Other members who had accompanied the chairpersons said that the president should consider their pledge of 6.8 billion shillings and JKIST before the election period if he is to get support.
The Kisoro district chairperson, Abel Bizimana attached a cover letter and forwarded all documents to the Bufumbira east Member of parliament Hon. Dr. Nsaba Buturo James to deliver the documents to state house.
Overview
Since the laying of a foundation for John Kale Institute for Science and Technology at Rwivovo in Nyakabande on October 14, 2017, the land has been marred by contestations of ownership, despite the Ministry of Education being in possession of a land title under Kisoro District Local Government.
When he visited Murora Sub County in Kisoro district early this year, president Museveni raised more hopes when he committed to clearing off Shs 6.8b to the claimants of the land.
Last month, the Bufumbira East MP Dr James Nsaba Buturo wrote to the president, commending the cabinet for approving Bukimbiri Constituency, but also reminding him of the ‘forgotten’ pledges, including JKIST. We are yet to see a response to Buturo’s letter.
Social media also continues to flood with campaigns for JKIST, as different users predict a poor support for the NRM party and the incumbents once works on the institute fails to launch.
Meanwhile, several other opinions have cast doubt on the Education ministry’s attitude towards the establishment of JKIST, some saying that they were not contented with the minister’s stand when she visited Kisoro in May 2018.
A letter sent to Kisoro district leaders from the Education ministry in late 2018 indicated that the Ministry of Finance would make funds for the establishment of the institute available until the Financial Year 2024/2025.
Kisoro has been yearning for a higher institution of learning. Metropolitan International University, owned by the former Woman MP Sarah Nyirabashitsi and Nkumba University long distance learning centre remain the only Degree awarding institutions in Kisoro after the closure of Bishop Barham University College branch at Muhabura Diocese allegedly due to ‘poor enrollment’.
Other institutions that closed their branches are Cavendish University and Busoga University, while King Caesar University by business tycoon ‘King’ Caesar Agustus Mulenga has failed to kick off due to logistical challenges.
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