MBARARA RCC Orders Wetland Structures Demolished, Warns Councillors Over Corruption
RCC Jackline Kankunda speaking in the council meeting
Deputy RCC Jackline Kankunda targets illegal petrol station, warns politicians they could be next in corruption crackdown
By Amos Tayebwa
Mbarara
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) in charge of Mbarara City North Division, Jackline Kankunda, has ordered Mbarara City authorities to demolish illegal structures erected in wetlands, warning that politicians who influence corruption in their areas could also find themselves behind bars.
Kankunda has specifically ordered authorities to scrutinise the construction of a petrol station in Byasiina Wetland near Koranorya Town, along the Mbarara-Masaka Road.
She questioned how a major structure such as a petrol station could be approved for construction in a wetland at a time when the city is claiming to be implementing a wetland restoration programme.
Kankunda accused the Physical Planning Department of Mbarara City Council of approving building plans for structures in wetlands, arguing that such approvals undermine government efforts to protect and restore wetlands.
She made the remarks while addressing a council meeting in Mbarara City North Division.
The Deputy RCC said she recently discovered that a petrol station was being constructed in a wetland along the Mbarara-Masaka Road in Koranorya.
What shocked her most, she said, was that city authorities were simultaneously carrying out wetland restoration operations targeting small-scale farmers growing cabbages in the same area.
Kankunda demanded that the city authorities produce all physical planning approvals relating to the petrol station and other structures being constructed in wetlands.
She said each approval should be scrutinised to establish whether it was issued legally and by the relevant authorities.
If the petrol station is found to have been illegally approved and constructed in the wetland, Kankunda said it should be demolished.
She challenged the city authorities to stop selective enforcement where poor farmers are chased out of wetlands while wealthy developers and politically connected individuals are allowed to construct permanent structures.
“As City, you recently started this thing of wetland restoration, but to my surprise, as you claim to be restoring the wetland but you are still approving the wrong construction in the same wetland,” Kankunda said.
She questioned why cabbage farmers should be treated as the biggest threat to wetlands when permanent commercial structures are being approved in the same areas.
“You cannot harass the cabbage farmer along the same wetland when you are approving construction of structures in the wetland.”
Kankunda demanded that the city authorities identify which building approvals were issued from the relevant government offices so that she could follow up each case.
She singled out the petrol station opposite Koranorya Town as a test case for the city’s commitment to wetland restoration.
“There is a petrol station coming up opposite Koranorya town, if you want to restore the wetland and have the budget as council, go and demolish that structure, because it is being constructed in a wetland.”
The Deputy RCC said government agencies cannot claim to be protecting wetlands while selectively enforcing environmental laws.
“You cannot run after these small people who are surviving on the cabbage farming and then you leave these so-called untouchables to mess the wetland, that’s not fair,” she said.
Kankunda subsequently directed that all illegal structures erected in wetlands within Mbarara City North Division be demolished with immediate effect.
CORRUPTION CLAIMS
The directive comes amid allegations that some structures in wetlands were approved by physical planners and environmental officials within Mbarara City Council.
According to allegations raised during the meeting, some officials responsible for physical planning and environmental management have allegedly turned a blind eye to illegal developments because of corrupt deals.
Several city officials have previously faced disciplinary action in the corruption crackdown associated with Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi.
Among those named in the allegations are Carol Owarugaba, the Mbarara City Physical Planner, and David Sancho, a Natural Resource Officer.
The two officials are reportedly on interdiction over matters related to alleged corruption.
Kankunda said the crackdown on corruption should not stop with technical staff.
She issued a blunt warning to councillors who allegedly use their political positions to influence corrupt dealings in their areas.
The Deputy RCC accused some councillors of conniving with land grabbers and local leaders to facilitate illegal activities.
She warned that political leaders could become the next targets of investigations.
“I want to tell you, mostly some councillors who are influencing corruption in your areas, you connive with land grabbers, you connive with LC chairpersons, you do wrong things and you call yourself a honourable.”
Kankunda said councillors should not assume that their political positions shield them from accountability.
“I want to warn you that Minister Baram has not finished on corruption crackdown. When the time for technical people ends, the politicians will also be probed, so know that you are not safe,” she warned.
Her warning sent a strong message to city politicians as authorities intensify scrutiny of land management, construction approvals and alleged corruption within local government.
COUNCIL WORKS CHAIRMAN TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE
Robert Twiine, councillor representing Rwemigina Ward in Mbarara City North Division, who was recently elected chairman of the Works Committee, backed the push for greater scrutiny of government projects and construction activities.
Twiine said every government road and other infrastructure project implemented in the division must provide value for money.
He pledged not to allow government funds to be misused while he heads the committee.
“Government monies are usually misused due to lack of follow-up by the people in charge of committees,” Twiine said.
He promised that his committee would closely monitor activities relating to wetland restoration in the division.
Twiine said the council would not tolerate illegal structures in wetlands and urged residents and developers to comply with approved building plans.
“No more illegal structures within our wetlands in Mbarara City North Division,” he said.
He also warned residents against conniving with technocrats to circumvent planning regulations.
Twiine urged members of the public to obtain proper building plans before commencing construction.
“I want to urge the public to build with plans. As far as I am the chairperson of works committee in Mbarara City North Division, no construction without a plan. Stop conniving with technocrats and you build structures without plans,” he said.
The dispute now puts the spotlight on Mbarara City’s wetland restoration programme and the officials responsible for approving developments.
Kankunda’s challenge is simple: if the city is serious about restoring wetlands, it must apply the law equally.
That means the small cabbage farmer cannot be chased away while a multi-million-shilling commercial structure is allowed to rise from the same wetland.
And with the Deputy RCC warning that the corruption crackdown could soon move from technical officers to politicians, councillors in Mbarara City North Division have been put on notice.
GOT A HOT STORY? LET US KNOW!
Got breaking news, explosive secrets, or hard evidence?
Email us: redpeppertips@gmail.com
We accept tips, documents, videos, photos, and recordings—the more evidence you have, the better.
CONFIDENTIALITY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. SOURCES ARE ALWAYS PROTECTED!
About Post Author
