The construction of a Perimeter Wall around its premises blocked the water path to nearby swamps, and as a result, the diverted runoff flows into a community well which serves a population of about 2,000 residents, according to the village chairperson Vincent Ssenyendera.
A row has erupted between
residents of Mbalala in Mukono district and Chinese conglomerate Tian Tang
Group Limited, accused of polluting a major water source in the area.
The group owns an industrial
complex located on a 33-acre land, with a number of companies involved in the production
of steel and steel products, wood, leather products and mattresses.
But the construction of a Perimeter
Wall around its premises blocked the water path to nearby swamps, and as a
result, the diverted runoff flows into a community well which serves a
population of about 2,000 residents, according to the village chairperson Vincent
Ssenyendera.
Luganda //Cue in; “Batute ebanga
ddene…
Cue out …mazzi gebakozesa”//
The chairman notes that many of
the affected residents are not on the national grid and have no alternative source
of water.
Jamiru Kalega, one of the
affected residents notes that the well was the single source of clean water for
the community. However, it has now been polluted with muddy runoff, exposing the
entire community to water-borne diseases.
Luganda //Cue in; “Bebaretedde
ddala okwonona…
Cue out…mirundi jjona.”//
Another resident, Benedetta
Nakirijja says that instead of causing positive change to the community, the
factories have become a nightmare.
Luganda//Cue in; “Tetujja
kubonabona…
Cue out…bakulakulanya nsi ki.”//
Last week, angry residents
demolished part of the perimeter wall to revert water to its old path. But on
Saturday, the company management rebuilt the wall and deployed armed security
officers to guard it and stop intruders.
One of the managers in charge of
communication at Tian Tang David Suu declined to divulge details about the
conflict but said that the management was taking charge of the situation.
