Residents Count Losses After Plantations Are Destroyed in Ntungamo Road Expansion Exercise

What the report says

Residents of Rwenyonyozi in Nyakyera Town Council, Ntungamo District, are seeking explanations after banana and coffee plantations were cleared during a road opening and expansion exercise, according to Nile Post. The affected families say the work was carried out without prior consultation and left dozens of households facing losses from crops that provided food and income.

The article says about 35 households were affected. Several residents told Nile Post that mature banana gardens and coffee trees were cut down, disrupting their ability to pay school fees and meet daily expenses. Some said they only learned later that the work was meant to expand community roads, and that no earlier meetings or formal discussion had been held with residents.

Those quoted in the report, including Elias Turyahabwe, Jackline Beinomugisha, Juliet Namanya and Generous Muhirwe, described shock and hardship after the destruction. Residents also said they had asked for clarification as the clearing happened but did not receive a satisfactory response. They are now calling on district and government authorities to explain the exercise and consider what, if any, remedy may be offered.

Area LC5 Councillor Jim Muhwezi told Nile Post that community road projects should involve engagement and agreement with residents before implementation. In general, land compensation rules often differ between titled government road projects and community roads, but the article centers on the residents’ complaint that there was no consensus before the plantations were destroyed.