Gold War: Otafiire Accuses Rwamirama of Blocking Njeru Mining Venture

What the report says

Water and Environment Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has said mineral exploration was carried out on land tied to the long-running dispute over Njeru Stock Farm, adding a new layer to a case that has mainly focused on who owns the property. In a statement posted on X, he accused State Minister for Animal Industry Bright Rwamirama and other unnamed officials of obstructing what he described as a legitimate gold and minerals exploration effort.

According to Nile Post, Otafiire rejected suggestions that he personally owned a gold mine on the land, arguing instead that subsurface minerals belong to the Ugandan government even where land rights are privately held. He said the exploration was undertaken by TAAYASA Minerals Limited, linked to mining engineer Sam K. Njuba Jr., who allegedly approached him for access to investigate possible deposits on rocky outcrops within the area.

Otafiire said the venture initially appeared promising before it was interrupted by government action, leaving the private investor with losses after funding the work himself. He also repeated his position that the land he says he owns is separate from the government-owned Njeru Stock Farm, which authorities have described as a strategic public livestock facility. The latest claims broaden an already contentious land fight into a dispute over possible mineral value beneath the contested area.