Mubende MPs want parliament recalled over gold mine evictions

Kampala, Uganda |GODFREY SSALI | Members of Parliament from Mubende District have accused the NRM led government of taking the people for granted over illegal evictions.

The group of four out of the seven area MPs led by Bukuya MP Dr. Micheal Bukenya said that they have mobilized 150 MPs who have signed their motion seeking to recall Parliament from Recess over the eviction of about 60,000 artisanal gold miners in Mubende recently.

Bukenya accused the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and the police force for deploying over 1,000 officers to evict artisanal miners within 2 hours and yet this was done without any prior notice.

MPs from Kassanda North Patrick Nsamba Oshabe, Kassanda South Simeo Nsubuga and Kasambya County Gaffa Mbwatekamwa condemned the evictions without prior compensation of the miners.

Kumi Municipality MP Aogon Silas who also addressed the press said he agrees with the area MPs on the need for inclusive growth and guidelines for the protection of locals.

The president recently granted the eviction of about 60,000 artisan miners from five square kilometers and ordered that the land be given to the investor, yet the investor already owns 207 square kilometers.

The directive, according to the miners, was issued on June 13, during a meeting between President Museveni and Gemstone International, allegedly owned by Veteran freedom fighter the head of the

State House Land department Capt. Gertrude Njuba a license holder.

Last week, The Parliamentary committee on Natural Resources led by the vice chairperson also Kiboga East Mp Dr.Keefa Kiwanuka embarked on a fact-finding tour at the contested gold mines in Mubende district where they engaged with some of the evicted miners.