By Weswa Ronnie
BULAMBULI
To address the issue of disaster victims receiving compensation and remaining in high-risk areas, government is introducing a new compensation approach. This involves victims identifying safer land, which will be verified, and then receiving compensation to settle their.
Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanjja revealed this on Friday, 24th April, 2026 at Bulugeni Town Council, Bulambuli District, during the passing-out ceremony of UPDF officers trained in disaster response.
The officers, alongside personnel from organizations like the Red Cross, Uganda Police, Uganda Prisons Service, and the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, underwent 13-day training from April 12 to April 25.
Nabanjja noted that previous efforts where one million shillings and two acres of land were provided was undermined as many beneficiaries sold the land and stayed in the same risk prone areas. The original land will now be taken over by Uganda Wildlife Authority for conservation, becoming part of the national park.
She announced new government plans including victims identifying safer land, which will be verified by RDC, and then receive compensation. The original land will be taken over by Uganda Wildlife Authority for tree planting and conservation, becoming part of the national park.
The Prime Minister emphasized this approach aims to address the challenge more effectively.
Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek, says government has tried to mitigate disaster impacts by providing victims with 10 million shillings and 2 acres of land at Bunambutye Government Resettlement Area.
He adds that partnering with UPDF, Uganda Police, and others will help reduce disaster-related deaths.
CDF representative, Major General Joseph Musoke Semwanga, Deputy Commander Land Forces says Bulambuli was chosen for the training due to its disaster-prone nature in the Bugisu region.
He notes that UPDF is not only trained for combat but also to support disaster response efforts.
State Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Huda Olero Abason, says the training follows President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to create a UPDF unit focused on disaster response, supporting other government agencies.
She stated that Bulambuli was chosen due to its high disaster vulnerability and ongoing resettlement efforts for thousands of victims at Bunambutye Government Resettlement Area.
The Minister noted that before establishing this UPDF unit, response times by the Ministry of Disaster, Red Cross, and district leaders were slow due to bureaucratic protocols, but with UPDF and other security agencies involved, response times will improve.
Bulambuli Resident District Commissioner, George Magunda, urged the officers to apply their training to save lives.
