The Nyatwali crisis has taken a new turn following a directive from the Bunda District Commissioner, Aswege Kaminyoge, ordering residents to stop fishing—the last remaining source of income after farming was banned in the area.
The commotion occurred on the morning of February 2, 2026, when rangers from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) arrived at the lakeshore, where residents were fishing, and ordered them to disperse. Rangers cited that the area is now considered part of a reserve following the expansion of the Serengeti Reserve.
This led to a confrontation between the rangers and residents. Rangers reportedly fired shots into the air and used tear gas to disperse villagers, who numbered around 200 or more.
“They are firing live bullets into the air. Do they want to kill us again, like on the 29th [of October 2025], or what exactly are their main objectives? During the elections, many of our fellow citizens have died, and even if we die today, it means you are killing us because of our property,” some villagers said in a recorded video during the commotion.
READ: Govt Presses Ahead with Nyatwali Relocations Despite Human Rights Concerns
In his announcement, the District Commissioner told residents that they must leave the area within two weeks, citing the expansion of the Serengeti Reserve and stressing that: “Once the law is passed, you can not argue with it, the law is the law.”
Speaking about the incident on Monday, residents told The Chanzo that rangers harassed people, which triggered push back from the community.
“Today, game rangers came to our workplace at the lake. They arrived in two vehicles, full of officers, and started beating civilians there. Then the citizens asked, why are you harassing us like this?” one resident recounted to The Chanzo.
He continued: “So people began arguing with them, saying, if you want to kill us, then kill us— but we will not leave. There was a bit of chaos, but later we were called and told to go to the council for discussion.”
The main dispute between residents and the government concerns compensation, which residents say is inadequate and impractical. Residents reported receiving a letter, that The Chanzo saw the copy, from the Prime Minister’s Office on January 15, 2026, stating that their concerns were still under advisory and asking them to remain patient.
“How can someone come and stop fishermen from working when we do not farm? We have families, we have children, we are people just like them. So it is not possible to stop a fisherman from fishing. Do you want to kill these people? That means they want to kill us,” some residents told The Chanzo.
Fishing remains the main activity for the villagers after farming and cattle keeping are banned. Most residents in Nyatwali can trace their history in the area back several centuries, some between 400 and 500 years, a point they argue consideration for their removal should be orderly, transparent and fairly.
“They have been chasing us away like dogs. They take our livestock and move it to unknown places. We have not yet exhumed our graves, and our compensation has not been completed.And there is still a pending case for Nyatwali,” another resident said.
“Even the compensation itself was reduced unfairly. For each square meter, we are paid 490 instead of 2,500. Where did the rest of that money go? We will remain here even if they kill us, like those who died on the 29th,” he continued.
One of the key points of contention is the absence of a government notice authorizing the extension of the reserve boundaries. Residents believe the situation is driven by private hotel investment interests rather than conservation. The government, however, maintains that the expansion of the reserve is necessary to create corridors for migrating elephants.
