Rwampara ranchers’ row resumes: police block meeting as Shs 9.6bn crisis deepens
Police, under the command of the Rwizi Regional Police Commander, cordoned off the venue and surrounded St. Luke Church of Uganda in Kinoni, preventing members of Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd from convening a meeting called by the Registrar of Cooperatives, Robert Bariyo Barigye
RWAMPARA, April 20, 2026 — Tensions boiled over on Friday as elderly ranchers clashed with police at the Rwampara district headquarters after officers blocked a scheduled meeting over a disputed Shs 9.6 billion compensation fund.
Police, under the command of the Rwizi Regional Police Commander, cordoned off the venue and surrounded St. Luke Church of Uganda in Kinoni, preventing members of Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd from convening a meeting called by the Registrar of Cooperatives, Robert Bariyo Barigye.
The meeting had been organised to address the long-running dispute over the missing funds. However, it was halted amid heavy police deployment, reportedly acting on “orders from above”.
“Orders from above” disperse ranchers
Members who had gathered by 10:00 were ordered to vacate the church premises within minutes, including Assistant Registrar Robert Waiswa Mpakibi and his team.
Charles Twebaze, one of the ranchers present, described the scene as chaotic.
“We had just gathered for our meeting at the church in Kinoni when police moved in and dispersed us. The meeting ended before it could even begin,” he said.
“The Regional Police Commander told us the directive had come ‘from above’ at State House. He even gave us a contact, saying any queries about the blockage should be directed there.”
Twebaze also accused interim chairperson Rev. Asaph Kahanguzi of frustrating members’ efforts.
“The Reverend has consistently frustrated other committee members. He insists on meeting the President alone, yet we are more than 400 ranchers who should be represented collectively,” he added.
Allegations of mismanagement and selective payment
At the centre of the dispute is the distribution of Shs 9.6 billion released by the government in July 2024 as part of a Shs 17bln court-awarded compensation package.
Ranchers allege that, out of more than 400 members, only 146 received payments of Shs 30 million each, leaving the majority without compensation.
Tom Muhoozi, representing members who say they were excluded, said the blocked meeting was critical for accountability.
“The purpose of this meeting was to establish what happened to our money and to update the members’ register,” he said.
“A small group shared the Shs 9.6bln, leaving many of us out. Without a properly constituted board, we cannot conduct business or trace the funds on the society’s account.”
Muhoozi further accused Rev. Kahanguzi of using his influence to frustrate lawful processes.
“He blocked the meeting on unclear grounds. It is unfair. We are simply asking for a conducive environment to elect a substantive board before the remaining funds disappear,” he said.
Rev. Kahanguzi cites fraud and State House intervention
In response, Rev. Asaph Kahanguzi defended the move to halt the meeting, arguing that it was unlawful and could interfere with ongoing investigations.
“The meeting did not take place because investigations revealed that some members were implicated in wrongdoing,” he said.
“It was also alleged that the Registrar of Cooperatives received a bribe from the compensation funds.”
Kahanguzi said the matter had moved beyond the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and now required direct intervention from President Yoweri Museveni.
“We want the President to handle this matter personally. We do not want prolonged court battles or conflict among ourselves, we want an amicable and peaceful resolution,” he said.
He added that some funds had already been recovered as exhibits from individuals who allegedly admitted to misappropriating part of the money.
Confusion over State House role
Despite police citing directives from State House, Irene Birungi Mugisha denied authorising the disruption when contacted.
Efforts to reach Registrar of Cooperatives Robert Bariyo Barigye for comment were unsuccessful.
Another member, Molly Kemirembe, questioned the legitimacy of the meeting notice.
“The letter itself is confusing. The Registrar calls the meeting but suggests it is on behalf of the Permanent Secretary,” she said.
“We are appealing to the President to intervene because those we entrusted are the same people accused of misusing our money.”
Background to the crisis
Founded in 1963, Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society was once a thriving enterprise. Following decades of land disputes, the cooperative secured a court victory against the government in 2021, resulting in a Shs 17 billion compensation award.
However, since the release of Shs 9.6bln in 2024, the cooperative society has been mired in internal wrangles and allegations of corruption. Three former board members were previously arrested and later released on police bond.
The cooperative currently has no land or livestock and is still pursuing the remaining Shs 3.34bln balance from government.
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