BY JONAN MUZIGIT
Residents of Bulembia Division in Kasese Municipality have suggested to Sarayi Mining Company Limited to consider sensitizing the community members before carrying out any mining activities on the land currently occupied by the locals.
Sarayi Mining Company Limited (often referred to or associated with Sarrai Group) is part of a consortium that signed a major Joint Operating Agreement with the Uganda National Mining Company in September 2026 to redevelop the historic Kilembe Mines in Kasese District.
The residents made the suggestion yesterday afternoon during an exclusive interview with Messiah Radio.
Mr. Yonah Bwambale Syahungene, the Chairperson Local Council I for Nyakasojo Lower Cell says the recently the company employees thronged the area and marked some parts where they would pick some samples.
To their dismay, Kachanga Playground was among the places that were marked. This has left some of the residents live in fear, arguing that they were not notified by the company.
The residents complain that as a community that has lived in the area for decades, they wouldn’t want to see thee company carry out its activities without making a community engagement or sensitization that would help the members to stay calm and become aware of any activity taking place.
Bwambale says the community has been utilizing the Kachanga Playground for different activities like sports and weddings but due to the potholes that were recently dug in the middle of the playground, they can no longer use it for community activities.
Geoffrey Muthegheki, a youth from Nyakasojo Lower used the same platform to ask the leadership of Bulembia Division to provide an alternative place to house the playground so that they continue carrying out their sports activities for talent promotion.
However, Mr. Richard Bomera, the Bulembia Division Chairperson, asked the community members to stay calm, adding that as the division leadership, they have several meetings with Sarayi Mining Company Limited.
According to him, after testing the samples at Kachanga Playground, they will only compensate the affected households, asking the rest of the community members to continue doing their daily activities.
ENDS