The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Nsubuga Bewayo Stephen has banned sand mining activities from Mineera Bridge which borders Kebisoni Town Council and Nyarushanje Sub County.
In addition to conducting a community meeting, Mr. Bewayo assessed the harm caused by the consequences of sand mining near the Mineera Bridge.
He noted that two repercussions he saw were the loss of road and the deterioration of wetlands, both of which have a negative impact on human existence.
According to RDC Bewayo, the circumstances in the area compelled him to issue an order stopping all of these sand mining operations with immediate effect.
“I have directed DPC and DISO to immediately enforce the directive,” Bewayo said.
RDC Bewayo asked locals, particularly the young people who typically mine for sand along the Mineera Bridge, to always have a vision in whatever they do because it will help them have a backup source of income in the event that one business closes.
Bewayo encouraged people to cultivate a culture of saving because it will enable them to launch a profitable business and advance themselves.
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Sand miners’ encroachment on the Mineera River bank, according to Mr. Lukwago, the Rukungiri district Natural Resource Officer, poses a serious threat to both the ecology and the bridge.
Rukungiri District Internal Security Officer Mr. Wachaya Christopher told the community at the meeting that he thought the people had gotten the message, and that they would be continuing to monitor and inspect to make sure that the directives are being followed.
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ASP. Micheal Kisakye OC Rukungiri Central Police Station informed residents that they needed to abide by the order since protecting the bridge benefits the public at large.
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Canon Charles Karikatyo the chairperson LC1 Kakibaya said more efforts are needed to sensitize locals on the protection of the environment and ecosystems in the area.
“As an area chairperson LC1, I support the order and I am going to make sure that I discuss with my people to stop getting sand from Mineera Bridge because it is illegal,” Karikatyo said.
Meanwhile, the group headed by RDC Rukungiri Mr. Nsubuga Bewayo Stephen, which also included technocrats, DISO Mr. Wachaya Christopher, Deputy DISO Mr. Mugarura Jackson, OC Station Rukungiri ASP. Michael Kisakye, and others, met with the Bwambara community at Rushaya Bridge and encouraged sand miners to move 30 meters away from the bridge and conduct their operations from there.
