Residents Protest After Closure of Long-Standing Community Road

Residents in Lwengo District protested after a former district figure allegedly blocked a long-used community road, disrupting access and prompting calls for government intervention.

Residents of seven villages in Lwengo District staged a protest on Friday after a former district leader, Mr. Deus Kiberu, was accused of blocking a community road that has been in use for decades.

The residents said Kiberu dumped piles of stones and soil on the road, cutting off access to homes, gardens, water sources, and workplaces. The affected route serves villages including Kakoma, Kiteesa, Kaamazi, Katovu, and nearby communities.

Early in the morning, angry residents gathered and cleared the debris themselves, insisting the road has existed for over 40 years and remains an important public access route.

“We found the road blocked when we were heading to our gardens and workplaces this morning. This road has been here for many years and is the only convenient route for people from several villages. We cannot accept being denied access,” some residents said.

Other residents alleged that Kiberu has become hostile toward community members since losing the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries last year for the district chairperson seat, claiming he has repeatedly issued threats to those who did not support his political bid.

“Ever since he lost the NRM primaries, he has been threatening residents. We believe this action is part of an attempt to punish people who did not support him politically,” they alleged.

They further noted that alternative routes are much longer, increasing transport costs and travel time for farmers, students, and other road users.

“This is the shortest route connecting our villages to water sources, homes and gardens. The other roads require people to make long detours,” another resident said.

The residents have now appealed to government authorities to step in and ensure the road remains open to the public.

“We want the district leadership and government agencies to investigate this matter and protect our right to use this road,” a community leader said.

Tension briefly rose when Kiberu reportedly arrived at the scene and attempted to take photographs as residents continued removing the blocked section of the road.

However, Kiberu defended his actions, stating that the road passes through his land and that local authorities had previously consulted landowners during discussions on access routes.

Katovu Town Council was mentioned in relation to earlier consultations over planned access roads.

“Katovu Town Council consulted landowners when plans to create access roads were being discussed. Some residents rejected the proposal at the time, but I agreed to allow a road through my land. It is surprising that those who opposed the idea are now demanding to use it,” he said.

He maintained that he has the legal right to control the use of his land and warned that he could block the road again, along with other routes crossing his property, if the dispute is not resolved.

The disagreement has renewed concerns over land ownership and public access roads in Lwengo District, with residents calling for urgent government clarification on the legal status of the route to prevent further conflict.