A land dispute in Bwakila Chini Village, Morogoro District, has exposed governance and transparency challenges at the local level, after residents closed their village office to protest the alleged sale of 207 acres of land to Morogoro Sugar without their consent.
Villagers argue that a 2018 agreement, reportedly signed by temporary village leaders and the investor, is invalid as it bypassed proper consultation through a full village meeting.
Residents also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in revenue collection and expenditure, as well as compensation being paid to individuals without legal land ownership.
“Our land has been taken without following the law. We submitted over 400 letters requesting a village meeting, but no response has come. We hope authorities, including President Samia, will take notice,” said Kibwana Hamis Hasira, a villager.
Village Chairman Hemed Mvunyo stated that village meetings are held every three months and insisted that the disputed contract is now under legal review.
Morogoro District Commissioner Mussa Kilakala emphasized the need to reopen the village office so that essential services to residents can continue, while investigations into the alleged fake contract are ongoing.
District Assistant Land Surveyor Kadofadha Marwa confirmed that 2,580 acres of village land, along with 301 acres owned by residents, have been legally reallocated and handed over to the investor for sugarcane farming.
The closure of the village office has also led to several arrests, with detainees taken to the main police station in Morogoro town.
Regional Police Commander SACP Alex Mkama is working to clarify the number of people arrested, the charges against them, and their court schedules.
The incident underscores the critical need for stronger oversight and community involvement in land allocation, highlighting tensions between investors, local authorities, and residents when governance processes are not fully observed.