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Tempers flared high at St. John’s Bugongi Parish Church of Uganda in All Saints Archdeaconry, in Kigezi Diocese, on Sunday, after Chinese investors attempted to mine iron ore on church land, prompting Christians to block them. The disputed land is located on Rwakashunju Hill in Rujanjara Village, Upper Bugongi Ward, Northern Division in Kabale.
At around 3:00 PM, two Chinese nationals escorted by Uganda People’s Defence Forces arrived at the site in a double-cabin vehicle registration number UBR 625S. The vehicle also carried several men believed to be casual labourers. The Chinese nationals reportedly began assembling mining equipment, including machinery resembling a bulldozer, in preparation for mining operations.
However, at around 5:30 PM, a group of Christians stormed the site and protested against the alleged mining activities, accusing the investors of attempting to begin operations on church land without the knowledge or consent of the congregation. The protest prompted intervention from police officers attached to Kabale Central Police Station and the Police Minerals Protection Unit.
Collins Saturday Kahesi, the Chairperson for Planning at St. John’s Bugongi Parish, who led the protesting Christians, said they received information from concerned residents that Chinese nationals had started setting up mining equipment on church land. Kahesi said the Christians were shocked to find the investors already guarded by soldiers and preparing to commence operations.
He noted that the congregation could not allow mining activities to proceed when they were unaware of any agreement between the church leadership and the investors.
Another concerned Christian, Felix Basigyire, accused the parish priest, Rev. Henry Nzaana, of failing to appear and explain whether he knew about the alleged arrangement. Basigyire claimed the priest’s absence had raised suspicion among Christians that he could be involved in the alleged illegal sale of minerals to the investors. He added that Christians were increasingly frustrated by what they described as questionable transactions allegedly carried out by some clergy members, saying such actions had previously caused divisions within the church.
During the protest, Brian Munanura, who identified himself as the manager for the Chinese investors, explained that the investors are linked to Tera Industrial Development Company. Munanura said the company contracted to carry out mining activities possessed only mining rights, not exploration rights.
He, however, maintained that the Chinese nationals had only visited the site to conduct exploration activities and not actual mining operations. Munanura did not disclose the name of the company officially contracted to mine on the land, but claimed that an individual identified only as Jacob had secured the surface rights for the property.
An officer from the Police Minerals Protection Unit, who identified himself only as Amanya, ordered the investors to immediately remove all equipment from the disputed land pending resolution of the matter. Amanya also directed the investors, Munanura, and the protesting Christians to attend an emergency meeting with Rev. Nzaana at the church premises.
During the meeting held at around 7:20 PM, Rev. Nzaana proposed that further discussions be postponed to Monday, May 11, 2026. However, the proposal was rejected by several Christians, led by Richard Mugayehwenki, a retired Inspector of Schools for Rubanda District, who accused the priest of failing to address the congregation’s concerns directly.
Amanya later guided that the meeting be reconvened on Monday at midday to allow all parties to explain how permission for exploration activities on church land was allegedly obtained without the knowledge of Christians.
SOURCE: URN
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