By Micheal Atwakiire
Sheema: Members of Rushozi Cooperative and Savings Limited in Kibutamo, Rushozi division, Sheema municipality, are cursing their pastor and district commercial officer, who they accuse of pocketing their savings.
Pastor Samuel Byaruhanga alias Mukama Nayamba, the proprietor Mukamanayamba Drinks store, Allan Buhanda, the Sheema District Commercial officer and Eng. Seezi Namutuha Mugoye, the chairman board of directors for Rushozi Cooperative and Savings Limited, are accused of allegedly selling the SACCO’s land and sharing the money among themselves.
The angry and disappointed members of the SACCO on Wednesday gathered at Kibutamo, where their land which was sold is located.
They told our reporter that what they want is their land, on top of officially ejecting Seezi their Board Chairman from office. They also warned Pastor Sam Mukama Nayamba to go slow on the matter or else they will drag him to court.
Mzee John Tigarebaana, who is the acting chairman BOD said that “We bought our land as SACCO members a few years back with an intention of building there our own offices, because where we are renting.
“We didn’t know that our land had been sold until recently when Sheema District Commercial Officer Allan Buhanda called me on phone, saying he wanted to meet me at my home. When he arrived, he gave me Shs3m saying that it was for rent. He again gave me a parcel which I think contained money in it. When I asked him the purpose of the parcel, he told me that it’s a thanksgiving for the activities I have done for the SACCO.”
“Tigarebaana added that “He thereafter pulled out a land agreement for me to sign. When I read it, it indicated that Rushozi Cooperative had sold its land to pastor Mukamanayamba. It had been signed by Eng. Seezi Mugoye our board chairman, Allan Buhanda himself, manager Mukamanayamba, Kamukama Kezekiya the vice-chairman board and stamped by the chairman LC1 of another village. I asked Buhanda; are not a member of this SACCO? You are bringing this agreement to me as who and why did they use the Chairman LC One of another area, not the one of where the land is lcoated? I returned his money and refused to sing, then he went away. As members we don’t want to hear anything else but to be handed back our land.” he narrated.
It is alleged that after being informed that their land was illegally sold, SACCO members went and fenced it off forcefully, which annoyed Pastor Mukamanayamba, who allegedly ordered his manager to open a case of trespassing at Sheema police station against the members vide file number SD REF 38/2/10/2019.
The Officer in Charge (OC) Sheema Central Police station one Afande Okech, advised members to take the matter to court.
However, Pastor Mukamanayamba claims to have bought the land at Shs15m and claims he fully paid the owners although he seemed not clear about who the actual owner is.
