By Weswa Ronnie
BUGISU
The Office of the Prime Minister through the Disaster Preparedness Ministry has today, Tuesday, 21st January, 2025 launched a massive registration exercise of people living in disaster-prone areas in the Elgon region.
This effort is being led by the Prime Minister’s office, and the registration exercise is being carried out by GISOs and Uganda Wildlife Authority officers with guidance of local leaders.
The registration is currently underway in Bududa, Manafwa, and will soon expand to other districts in the region, including Sironko, Bulambuli, Mbale, and Namisindwa.
The registration is a response to the recent landslides at Buluganya sub-county, which resulted in over 30 deaths, 100 people still missing, and thousands displaced.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja has stated that the government aims to register all individuals living in disaster-risk areas and provide them with three options: compensation and resettlement in Bunambutye, compensation to find alternative housing, or forced evacuation from high-risk areas.
However, there have been reports of extortion by GISOs, with some individuals claiming to have been asked to pay between 100,000/= to 300,000/= to be registered.
Kosea Kimono Kigayi, the LCV chairperson of Manafwa district, has acknowledged these complaints and has referred the matter to the RDC office for investigation.
Elijah Madoyi, the Bududa Resident District Commissioner says that his office has received the same allegation from the public and they are investigating it.
He urged people in disaster prone areas across Bugisu region to embrace the exercise such that they avoid deaths due to landslides.
According to government, after compensation, the land will be taken over by government and be gazzetted as a National Park.
Sarah Shango and Peter Wedowo, all beneficiaries from Lutsekhe Sub County in Bududa district expressed their happiness with the ongoing registration exercise saying this is going to be a lasting solution to the deaths of people killed by landslides.
