Residents of Kaina cell in Kaina parish in Kayonza Sub County in Ntungamo district are up in arms against Reynolds Construction Company-RCC over environmental pollution. RCC was contracted by government to construct the Kabale-Ntungamo road. The company established a stone quarry in Kaina village. However, more than 100 residents neighboring the stone quarry want it closed over environmental pollution.
They argue that since the quarry was established last year, several of their properties have been damaged including houses, plantations and water resources. Asaph Mugumya, one of the residents of Kaina village says that they have repeatedly asked for Environmental Impact Assessment report availed to them in vain. He says that they have complained to the district authorities to intervene, but there has been no response.
Amos Ndinabo, a neighbor to the stone quarry says that he was forced to seek compensation from RCC after his banana plantation was flooded by water from the quarry. Vincent Rutagonya, the Kayonza sub county LC V councilor says that the residents have filed several complaints to the district but nothing has been done to address their concerns. He has however, promised to push the council to intervene in the matter, and come to the rescue of his electorate.
Dinah Tumwebaze, the Ntungamo district Environment officer accuses the contractor of failing to present the environmental Impact Assessment report to her office despite several reminders. But Wilberforce Mugyenyi, the RCC section spokesman dismisses allegations by the residents saying that they have been compensating residents affected by their work.
He claims that they have hired an environmental officer to deal with all environmental matters whenever the need arises. Mugenyi insists that carried out an environmental impact assessment but he doesn’t know whether or not the district was given a copy.
