KISORO: Steven Rwangyezi the Proprietor of Ndere Cultural Centre is facing stiff opposition from a cultural group in Kisoro district for “disturbing the peace of the dead” at one of the local cultural sites.
The group known as the Bahinza is trying to stop Rwangyezi from developing the place located on Lake Mutanda into a tourism site.
Rwangyezi woes date back to 2017 when Bahinza Cultural leader Louis Turyagenda Bishubeho filed a case against him after he acquired two pieces of land in Bucece and Karehe villages in Kirundo Sub County for purposes of developing them into tourism sites.
Bishubeho, who is also the Kirundo Sub County LC5 councillor, says this land has cultural significance to the Bahinza clan and cannot be owned by any one individually.
He also accused Rwangezi, of wanting to exploit the Bahinza cultural burial grounds for profit.
Back in 2019, the Bahinza Cultural Heritage Foundation, wrote to the office of the President seeking help against the investor, whom they described as unreasonable in his pursuit for commercial exploitation and destruction of a historical and cultural site, rich with ancestral artefacts.
The Foundation also forwarded its concerns to various Government offices and departments including the director, Land Division in State house (2019), Minister of Investment Evelyn Anite (2019), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Social development (2020).
The group claimed among others that the occupation of Dr. Rwangezi on sacred land has resulted in misfortune of clansmen.
At this site, lies the remains of the Bahinza Royalty, who were buried and preserved on the archipelago on the lake.
They also claim that since Dr. Rwangezi is not a clan member, and simply owns land neighbouring the burial grounds, his persistent push to own the Sacrificial Shrine has angered the powerful spirit and residence of “Indyoka” forcing it to change from its human form into a snake causing numerous deaths among clan members.
During a mediation meeting last month organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities at the Kisoro district Council hall, between the Bahinza clan leaders and Stephen Rwangyezi, another serious issue was raised.
The Kisoro district Environmental Officer Judith Muja said, part of the land being queried is in violation of the National Environmental Management (NEMA) act 2019.
Act 5 of the NEMA Act 2019 states that, it is illegal to develop permanent structures on the shoreline of the water body.
Up to 200 meters from the water body is meant to serve as a buffer zone where no permanent structures should be constructed.
Assistant Commissioner of Sites in the Ministry of Tourism Jackline Nyiracyiza said the ministry has been receiving complaints from the community on Lake Mutanda.
Rwangezi however, said his only wish was to develop the area without antagonizing the cultural heritage.
He pointed out that the areas around the heritage sites have been left to regenerate and are well preserved.
He also noted that some of the remains (skeletons) were being washed away which could be represented if his project was allowed to continue.
He stressed his commitment to getting all the necessary permits from NEMA and other relevant agencies to ensure the smooth co-existence between the community and his enterprise.
Rwangezi’s pleas nonetheless seemed to fall on deaf ears as the Kisoro district Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Rita Elizabeth Byiringiro advised that all the land in contestation first gets surveyed by Government to ensure that the 200-meter buffer is respected.
Byiringiro said, no further developments on the land should continue until surveying is completed and a report has been compiled.
Facts about the Bahinza on Lake Mutanda
It is believed that the rulers in the pre-aristocratic era who were referred to as the Abahinza were not buried with commoners in communal cemeteries but in selected caves on chosen islands.
The Bagyesera-Bahinza consider the resting places of their former cultural leaders as “ibirwa by’Abahinza” in Lake Mutanda.
The island which is locally referred to as ‘Ichangushu” was used as the main burial place of the Bahinza.
The cultural groups claims that, the island hosts a number of caves housing the skeletons that are now being dismembered by ‘foreign grave robbers’.
In order to preserve the bodies of their revered leaders, bodies had to have been mummified and preserved in bull-hides, never to decompose.
It is believed that these traditional rulers/prophets played major roles including, blessing of birth, fortune in war, managing evil spells like drought, magic in fighting and hunting weapons i.e. spears, bow and arrows, shield.
Story Adapted from www.chimpreports.com