By Sophan Niwamanya
Kabale
Over one thousand farmers, their livelihoods intricately woven with the fertile soil of this region, have united in a bold act of defiance against the looming threat of government wetland evictions.
At the heart of this resistance stands Denis Nzeirwe, the steadfast chairperson of the Kigezi Farmers’ Association. With conviction in his voice, he unveils the farmers’ plight during a poignant press conference at the historic White Horse Inn in Kabale Municipality. His words echo the fears and frustrations of those facing displacement from lands they’ve toiled upon for generations.
“We are not mere occupants of these reclaimed lands,” Nzeirwe declares, his gaze unwavering. “We are stewards, nurturing life from the earth’s bounty to sustain our communities.”
Julius Arinaitwe, a man of both soil and advocacy, lends his voice to the cause. As an environmentalist and farmer within the association, he emphasizes the sustainable practices employed by the farmers to combat food insecurity. To uproot them, he argues, is to sever the lifeline of sustenance for countless families.
Yet, it is Council Muhangi Justus, wielding the shield of law, who articulates the legal battle ahead. With measured words, he underscores the necessity for due diligence before the government’s heavy-handed eviction tactics take root. Drawing upon Uganda’s constitutional protections, he invokes the principle of just compensation for those whose roots run deep in Kigezi’s soil.
