KASESE, UGANDA: Kasese district leaders have questioned the government’s commitment to permanently resettle the internally displaced persons-IDPs that are camped in Muhokya.
Last year, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja directed the Ministers of Luwero-Rwenzori Affairs, ICT and National Guidance, and Members of Parliament from Kasese to identify land to resettle more than 200 people that are camped at Muhokya sub county headquarters.
They were displaced by floods that ravaged the district in 2020 and 2021 causing major rivers to burst their banks. Nabbanja said that she had been directed by President Museveni to ensure the displaced persons are resettled.
Kasese LCV Chairperson Eliphazi Muhindi Bukombi says they are surprised that the government has changed its initial offer of 700 Million Shillings for the 200 acres of land required to resettle the IDPs to 500 million shillings for the same piece of land.
According to Muhindi, last year government had committed that it would purchase a titled acre of land at an average of 3.5 million shillings.
However, he claims that he was recently informed that the government was only able to buy an acre at an average of 2.5 million shillings or less.
Muhindi added that they have recently got potential sellers but none of them was willing to sell at the proposed price by the government.
The Kasese Municipality MP, Ferigo Kambale admits that the resettlement process has been slow but they are engaging the government to ensure the group is settled.
However, the MP is also concerned that unless the government increases its offer, potential sellers may not offer their land.
Joy Masika, the Secretary for the C-unit in the camp says there is an urgent need to settle the IDPs who have been struggling to feed their households due to a lack of land.
The State Minister for ICT, Geoffrey Kabyanga maintains that the government is committed to permanently resettling the IDPs. He says that district leaders should write to the government regarding the cost of land in the area.
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