Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom petitions minister over land dispute with Hoima Sugar Limited
HOIMA – Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom [BKK] officials are in disagreement with Hoima Sugar Limited over land measuring five square miles of land located in the sub-counties of Kyangwali and Kabwoya in Kikuube district.
The disagreement has forced the kingdom’s Chief Prince, Fred Mugenyi Rucunya who is the head of the ruling Babiito clan, to petition the state minister for Lands Sam Mayanja, accusing the sugar company of allegedly denying the kingdom officials access to the cultural sites found on the land leased to the company.
In 2016, BKK officially leased 22 square miles to Hoima Sugar Limited for sugarcane growing for 99 years, even though the National Environment Management Authority [NEMA], would later deny the company about 13 square miles, saying they should be preserved for a green zone, eco-tourism, and cultural site among others.
The company would then plant cane six square miles, with some of the cane already being harvested to feed the sugar factory in Kiswaza village Kiziranfumbi Sub-county.
In his letter dated May 26, 2023, and addressed to minister Mayanja, Ruchunya averred that of the 22 square miles of land leased to Hoima Sugar Limited, five square miles were hosting the kingdom’s cultural sites.
He continued that five square miles host the kingdom’s cultural assets such as water wells for performing rituals, and burial sites for the former kings and chiefs.
He noted security guards have been deployed on the contested land to protect the interest of Hoima Sugar Limited and that as such they have denied the kingdom’s leaders access to the cultural sites.
Rucunya wants minister Mayanja and Kikuube resident district, commissioner Amlan Tumusiime to prevail over the security personnel deployed on the contested land to allow the kingdom access it so that they perform cultural rituals.
Rucunya in his letter copied to Lands Minister Judith Naboba, Security Minister, Jim Muhwezi, Minister of Presidency Mary Babalanda and State Minister Gender and Culture Peace Mutuzo wants Hoima Sugar Limited to appreciate that the cultural sites belong to Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom.
“As head of the ruling clans [Babiito], it is my responsibility to ensure that all Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom norms and traditions are respected and preserved. A lot of human activities like charcoal burning, and timber cutting are going on in this sacred cultural site which is not good for us as BKK,” he said.
“The purpose of this communication therefore honorable Minister is threefold to bring to you that background and to ask you to direct the RDC kikuube Amlan Tumusiime as head of security to prevail over the police and army from blocking my team which I morally send to access the cultural site for rituals,” he said.
However, sources within Hoima Sugar Limited insist that the land hosting the alleged cultural sites is part of the 22 square miles the kingdom initially leased to them.
When contacted for a comment, Tumusiime said that his office had received a copy of Rucunya’s letter, adding that he was going to consult the kingdom to see how best to resolve the matter.
“This is something that can be discussed and resolved,” he said, declining to give more details about the matter.
https://thecooperator.news/bunyoro-kitara-parliament-rejects-bagungu-secession-plans/
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