It’s been an intense past month for residents of Bulusambu in Uganda’s Mbale district. Some villagers here have literally taken up arms as they protest the proposed construction of a dam on the River Manafwa. 

By Joseph Wanzusi, Bulusambu

The irrigation project is estimated to cost 55 billion shillings (16 million euros), which Uganda Radio Network reports is being jointly funded by the Swedish government, the Norwegian government and the World Bank.

 A section of the population has since taken the Ugandan government to court, alleging that the government wants to grab ancestral land. Clashes also erupted between residents from the sub-counties of Busoba and Busiu. 

RNW captured these images On 27 October and 3 November.