Households in 10 villages in Mahyoro Town Council in Kitagwenda district are accusing the Chinese firm, Tyang Tyang Company of polluting River Buhindagi. The families accuse the company of discharging contaminated water into the river from their gold mines in Kitomi village.
The affected villages are Zambia, Karokarungi, Buhindagi, Omukarere, Kyendangara, Kanyabikyere, Bwetuuma, Kitomi, Kitonzi, and Kachindo. River Buhandigi which stretches from Buhweju district through Ibanda District and pours its waters into Lake George is a source of water for over 2000 residents.
They use the water for drinking, cooking, and other domestic chores. Residents accuse the Chinese company of using harmful chemicals like mercury to refine Gold and dump contaminated water in the river, which has since changed color and turned yellowish and oily.
Moses Mushabe, the Mahyoro Town council Councilor, who doubles as the deputy speaker for Kitagwenda, notes that he is concerned about the mining activities that have affected the river where people fetch water. He says that he even raised the matter in the district council to attract the attention of the authorities to force the Chinese company to pay royalties, which could be used by the district to create an alternative water source.
Ismail Mushemeza, the Kitagwenda district LC V Chairperson told URN that when they went to monitor what was taking place on the ground, they were told by the Chinese to talk to people in Kampala. He further noted that when they tried to communicate to one of the offices he didn’t mention in Kampala, they were told that the Chinese came on their orders to look for gold and shouldn’t be bothered.
Anthony Kalyegira, the Kitagwenda district senior environment officer said that there are three gold mining companies in the district with Tyang Tyang group being the newest. Kalyegira revealed that they have never received a copy of the license that mandates the company to operate in the district.
Moses Turyamureba Bujara, the Kitagwenda district natural resources officer told URN that being new in office he didn’t have information about the company.
Vincent Barugahare, the assistant commissioner in the ministry of water and environment told URN in an interview that the district should take action and arrest the miners until they produce an environmental impact assessment report detailing how they can mine without polluting the environment.
Yusef Mugarura, the Tyang Tyang Company site manager told URN that the company has tried to provide some water for the community by repairing boreholes.URN
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