Uganda, May 5 -- A dispute has erupted between residents and local authorities in Apac District over control and benefits from Ibuje Rock, a key source of construction materials now tied to a major road project.

The conflict intensified after the government announced plans to tarmac the 191-kilometre Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga road, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Ugandan government, elevating the commercial value of the rock.

A service provider contracted by the Ministry of Works and Transport is currently extracting and crushing granite from Ibuje Rock for supply to the project contractor, Sadeem Al-Kuwait General Trading and Contracting Company.

Members of the local community allege that revenue from the resource is ...