LAND WRANGLES; BUHARA COU PARISHIONERS WANT THEIR PRIEST TRANSFERRED OVER LEASED CHURCH LAND

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Story by Byamukama Libino

Christians at Buhara church of Uganda in Buhara sub county Kabale district have vowed never to return back to the church until their grievances with their Rev Gad Twineomugisha over the leased land are resolved.

The aggrieved Christians accuse Rev Gad Twineomugisha, Mr Francis Butamanya area chairperson Lc1 Kijonjo cell and chairman management committee kijonjo cell Rev. Aggrey for having forged meetings to lease the 10 acres of land at Kijonjo Primary school disguising that they want the Chinese company (Sino Company limited) to construct a football playground for Kijonjo Primary school.

Speaking to our reporter today at the church premises, the charged Christians led by former Buhara parish councilor Mrs Sayuni Glorious, Turyamwijuka Davis. Christians at Buhara church of Uganda said that the issue of land started last year when the Chinese company contacted Buhara Sub County to lease them the same land in conflict where they had wanted to construct a factory.

However the Buhara sub county council refused to lease the land for the factory after assessing the pollution the factory would produce in an area with health centers, schools and business around.

They added that they were shocked to hear that Rev Twineomugisha had accepted the offer of constructing a factory in the school’s land meant for constructing a playground and that the rev had not revealed the cost of the lease.

They vowed not to go for church service once Rev. Twineomugisha is still their leader saying that He has divided the Christians at the church.

They further called for intervention from the diocese of kigezi saying that the Rev has gone beyond his limits to lease 10 acres of land without authorization from the Bishop and the Muyebe Archdeacon at large.

Katwesigye Rodgers’ churchwarden questioned how the Chinese company could interfere with their land without the knowledge of the archdeacon.

He added that it was so unfortunate for Twineomugisha to tell Christians that the Chinese had brought an offer for the land to be leased yet the demarcations were already going on.

“Twineomugisha has not come to rule us but to divide us, people’s hearts are rotting because of him” he added.

The Muyebe archdeacon Ven. Epaphra Baryamureeba together with the angry Christians proceeded at the construction site (10 acres of land) where Sino Company limited had started excavating the land and stopped all the activities being carried out on the 10 arcs of land.

Baryamureeba Pledged to submit their concern to the diocese and look for a solution.

Rev Twineomugisha who was present declined to have a comment on the leased land.

He was however seen by our reporter telling Katwesigye the churchwarden that nothing is going to happen to him nor change.

It’s from this point where the angry Christians vowed not to go back to Buhara church of Uganda for services until he is transferred.

By the time our reporter left the scene, there were no hopes of Christians going for Sunday service and the church was still closed at 11am.