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By Amos Tayebwa | Mbarara
Mbarara City is on fire this month with residents of Biharwe Matooke Daily Market turning the heat on City Councilor Ronald Taremwa Bamuhaira, accusing him of being part of a powerful clique behind the illegal grabbing of government land — including a public road!
The drama unfolded during a heated meeting chaired by Jackline Kankunda, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (DRCC) for Mbarara City North Division, after whistleblowers tipped her off about a mysterious private land title issued on part of the Matooke Market land, which belongs to the City Council.
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According to investigations, the city had legally bought three plots measuring 100×150 feet each to host the market — but someone has since forged documents and grabbed about 25×100 feet, including part of the road reserve!
“Council bought this land at UGX 150 million and left a 4.79-meter road reserve connecting to nearby homes,” said Steven Muganga, former Biharwe Division Chairman. “Shockingly, someone got a title over that same road and part of council land!”
Muganga accused Aggrey Nduhukire of conniving with City Council technocrats and politicians to alter land boundaries and convert the public road into a private plot.
“We opened that road ourselves. Some council officials forged documents to change it. If the city fails to act, I will open a corruption case and ensure the grabbers are arrested,” fumed Muganga, who also doubles as Global Anti-Corruption Coordinator for Western Uganda.
During the meeting, furious residents directly pointed fingers at Councilor Ronald Taremwa, accusing him of conflict of interest and protecting the alleged grabbers.
Ronald Taremwa Bamuhaira is a City councilor and secretary for Finance. He is a former Secretary for land Mbarara district.
RCC Kankunda grilled him to explain what he knew about the missing road and suspicious land title. But a defiant Taremwa distanced himself from the saga — even questioning the Mayor’s version of events!
“Before council bought this land, I was not even a councilor,” he said. “If you want documents, go to the City Council. As far as I know, we bought titles, not measurements.”
When Mbarara City North Division Mayor Gumisiriza Kyabwisho warned that any grabber would be arrested, Taremwa publicly interrupted him — sparking fresh drama.
“Mayor, stop lying to people!” Taremwa fired back. “There’s no road there. There’s already a land title. Do you even know who owns it?”
The outburst drew angry murmurs from traders and locals who accused the councilor of “protecting the land thieves.”
RCC Kankunda ordered the division leadership to fence off the entire market land immediately and remove traders operating on the roadside.
“We’ve received reports of leaders involved in this mess,” she said. “We want the Town Clerk to produce the official land documents so we can expose who’s trying to grab this government land.”
She vowed that no one will be allowed to privatize public property, saying government land must remain for development, not corruption.
As tension brews in Biharwe, traders say they won’t rest until every inch of market land is reclaimed — and the grabbers face justice.
