Minister intervenes in dura limestone quarry ownership row

Kamwenge, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | The state minister for mineral development Sarah Opendi has intervened in the controversies surrounding  Dura Limestone Quarry, whose ownership is claimed by both Kitagwenda and Kamwenge districts.

The contest emerged after the creation of Kitagwenda district in 2019, a result of which, the new leadership demarcated the 450-hectare quarry as part of  Kanara Sub County, rejecting an earlier report which placed the quarry in Nkongoro parish which is part of Kamwenge district. 

The conflict has triggered animosity between the two communities forcing locals in Kamwenge to create porous routes to connect to the neighbouring districts of Kasese and Bunyangabu through Queen Elizabeth National Park avoiding passing through Kitagwenda.

But Opendi, who visited the site on Monday said she will engage the Ministry of Lands for another survey to open up boundary lines for the two districts before the end of August to guide the ministry to a decision on where the quarry belongs. 

The minister also called on Hima cement factory to stay the payment of royalties to either district until the issue of ownership is settled. 

In 2008 Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) permitted Hima Cement Limited to mine limestone from the quarry. The company, which later acquired a mining lease from the Ministry of Energy has been remitting over 170 million Shillings annually to Kamwenge District.

Kibale County MP Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba Mirembe warned leaders from both districts against inciting locals by giving them misinformation concerning the location of the quarry.

Both Kitagwenda district chairperson Robert Mugabe and Aggrey Natuhamya, the LC5 chairperson for Kamwenge district welcomed the resolution by the Minister.

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