Thursday was tense and filled with grief as bulldozers pulled down several structures as authorities enforced the trade order in Rukungiri Municipality.
The calm day heated up with the business community struggling to secure their properties or painfully watching them reduced to rubble.
The operation, heavily manned by the security, targeted structures on road reserves, those that were dilapidated and temporary.
It started from Ntugamo Stage, bringing down the perimeter wall of Bliss Coffee Haven Hotel, proceeding to Independence Road, where structures in Go-down, Kihindi, Katerera, and Kinyasano were destroyed.
Only a few structures, including Healing and Deliverance Church, T Light Church, Rukungiri Central Secondary School, and Rukungiri Kindergarten, were spared with caution.
Mr Patrick Kamugisha, who lost his house in the operation, criticised the Municipal authorities, saying that his building was authorised, supervised and guided by the office of the Rukungiri Municipal Physical Planner.
The municipal physical planning committee gave me everything right away, from the land title to the building plan approved by the office of the municipal planner. What disappoints me most is the demolition of my hotel’s parameter wall, which was approved by the very committee” Mr Kamugisha said.
Mr Xavier Ndyanabo also says his perimeter wall was irregularly destroyed, noting that its establishment was approved by the planning authorities.
”During the marking exercise, my parameter wall was not marked, but it has also been demolished. This is unfair because if I had been marked, I would have relocated it before the enforcement.” Mr Ndyanabo said.
Ms Petty Twinomujuni said the operation disrupted her business and left her in losses.
”This is a total loss which can’t be recovered because I have lost everything. Am now asking our leaders to kindly intervene before the situation gets out of human control” Ms Twinomujuni said.
But, Mr Vastine Kenganzi, the Rukungiri Municipal Council Physical Planner, defended the operation, saying that all the affected persons had been notified and given enough time to relocate.
”We gave people enough time to relocate before today’s (Thursday) enforcement exercise, and about 70% of those affected had already shifted voluntarily.”
She maintained that the operation will continue as long as the prohibited structures are still in town.
Ms Kenganzi urged traders and institutions to follow the approved procedures before putting up structures.
The Rukungiri Municipal Civil Engineer, Ms Merina Kekiijo, said the enforcement is aimed at improving the beauty and enhancing security of the urban centre.
He disclosed that the operation will last for 5 days and will be implemented until all marked structures are put down.