Adonia Atuheire | Tayari News
KISORO – Leaders in Kisoro district are mediating a simmering land dispute in Rukundo Town Council involving the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and area Member of Parliament Nizeyimana John Kamara.
Legislator Kamara claims that NWSC installed the Nkanka Water Supply System near his land without his consent. He argues that the water source lies within his private property, raising concerns over land rights and due process.
Tensions began escalating in February after Kamara accused NWSC of planning to use land surrounding the water source in ways that could expose it to contamination.
In response, the Kisoro District Local Government Works and Finance Committee, led by a section of councillors, has intervened to broker an amicable solution. The committee recently visited the disputed site to assess the situation and engage both parties.
Mfitumukiza John, LCV Councillor for Nyarusiza Sub-county and a member of the committee, said NWSC only acquired land where infrastructure was constructed, but does not own the actual water source.
“NWSC needs to sit down with the landowners and ensure proper compensation before taking any further steps that could affect the water source,”
He also criticised NWSC Kisoro for neglecting its corporate social responsibility, pointing to the poor state of the road leading to the facility.
“The road connecting Rukundo town council to the Nkanka Water Supply System is in a poor condition. NWSC should rehabilitate it as part of giving back to the community,” he added.
Penina Annet Sebasigari, the district councillor, urged immediate negotiations, warning that delays could jeopardise the safety of the water source.
“This water source serves a large population. Any delay in resolving this dispute risks contamination, which would have serious consequences.”
God Rukara, LCV Councillor for Nyakabande Sub-county, confirmed that the project was established near Kamara’s land and cautioned that future developments could affect the water supply.
“There is a real risk that activities on the surrounding land could interfere with the water source. That is why urgent mediation is necessary.”
Uwimana Specioza, the female councillor representing Chahi sub-county and Kyanika Town Council, called for government intervention. If private developments are allowed to proceed without clear guidelines, this water source could easily be contaminated. Government must step in,”
However, Kamara insists that NWSC encroached on his land and maintains that he is the rightful custodian of the area.
“My land was encroached upon. I am the rightful owner, and due process was not followed.”
He also questioned the enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly those governed by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Kamara revealed that he had initially planned to establish a factory on the land but was stopped by the ministry, which had promised compensation that was later reversed.
“I had plans to develop a factory here, but I was stopped with a promise of compensation that never materialised.”
He now threatens to restrict access to the water source and repurpose the land for a piggery project.
“If this is not resolved, I may have no choice but to use my land for other projects, including a piggery”
The legislator further disclosed that he had initially asked for three billion shillings as compensation, but has since raised the demand to five billion shillings.
The NWSC on Tuesday said via their X account that they have not installed any pump on Kamara’s land and explained that they cannot buy land they are not interested in.
“In the matter of being persuaded to buy land adjacent to us, we can’t purchase land that we are not interested in. Even if we, without prejudice, were interested in purchasing his land, we follow established Government protocols, including valuation by the chief government valuer.”
The Nkanka Water Supply System, located in Rukundo Town Council, was commissioned in January 2021 by Yoweri Museveni.
With a capacity of 3.1 million litres per day, the facility supplies clean water to Kisoro Municipality, Bunagana border town, and parts of Nyarubuye, Nyarusiza and Nyakinama sub-counties. It was established to boost water supply and address persistent shortages in the area.