“I will not leave my people to die” Rukungiri WMP Hon. Midius Natukunda raises concern to Parliament over “illegal” wetland evictions in Ruhinda Sub County

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HON. MIDIUS NATUKUNDA KAHARATA RAISING CONCERN TO PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

The Rukungiri district woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Midius Natukunda Kaharata, expressed concern to Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, yesterday over how NEMA had gotten in touch with the operation to restore wetlands in Ruhinda Sub County two weeks ago.

In October this year, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni fired warning shots at Sub-County Chiefs and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) for failing to implement his directives to evict wetland encroachers.

The President directed RDCs and chiefs to ensure the people vacate wetlands while cautioning those who do not implement his directive risk arrest.

In accordance with the directive, Rukungiri authorities conducted an operation in the last month of November in Ruhinda Sub County, majorly in the parishes of Burombe, Rwamugoma, Kicwamba, and certain areas of Ndere.

This operation affected over 200 homes by clearing over 300 acres of gardens, which included plantations of sugarcane, beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coffee, bananas, and trees.

After losing their properties, residents decried accusing Rukungiri law enforcement authorities from the water and environmental departments, led by Twekwase Deus and Calorine Mbabazi, of organizing what they describe as an illegal and brutal eviction.

Due to the circumstances, the woman Member of Parliament for the Rukungiri district was compelled to voice her concerns to the speaker of parliament in order for the government to step in and provide compensation to those whose properties were destroyed during the operation but were not in a wetland areas.

Natukunda explained that the way the directive was put into practice was inappropriate since individuals were not made aware of it and the implementers failed to take into account other options for subsistence.

Cue in……..HON NATUKUNDA PRESENTING IN PARLIAMENT……….

Speaking with our reporter in the meantime, Hon. Midius Natukunda advised the people of Ruhinda, particularly those whose properties were damaged, to remain calm as the government will take care of their concerns and provide compensation.

Cue in…………..HON MIDIUS ON RUHINDA RESIDENTS……………