By Weswa Ronnie
NAMISINDWA
The Minister for Karamojo Affairs has urged Give Direct, a non- governmental organization to quicken the compensations exercise of people living in disaster-prone areas in Bugisu sub-region.
Mary Gorreti Gitutu made the call yesterday, 18th May, 2024 at Busulwa primary school playground located at Tsekululu Sub County in Namisindwa district during the belated district women’s day celebrations under the theme,” use women to fight poverty.”
Last year in August, Give Direct launched a resettlement package of over 31 billion shillings which it was going to give 4,000 targeted families living in disaster-prone areas in four districts of Bugisu region that include Namisindwa, Sironko, Bududa, and Manafwa.
The launch was led by Prime Minister Robinnah Nambanja and Given Direct officers at Nanganko town council located in Bududa district.
According to the prime minister during the launch, each targeted family in the four districts was going to get 17 million shillings in total, the government will give 1 million, give direct 7 million shillings to relocate the families to safe places then the government takes over their previous land for tree planting.
After the launch, some families in Bududa district got the money but up to now more targeted families in Bududa and the entire three other districts have not so far got the money.
Kitutu said, according to Uganda’s metereological authority in June this year, rains are going to be high, especially in the Elgon region which may put at risk people living in disaster-prone areas.
‘’If Give Direct had compensated the targeted families, the risk to people living in disaster-prone areas at Bugisu was going to be less,’’ Minister Kitutu said.
Minister said, ‘’ I’m going to launch a sensitization drive in all districts of Bugisu region about environmental protection techniques since I’m a technical person in the environment such that people can avoid tampering with nature like deforestation, and poor farming methods which are leading to landslides and floods in Bugisu region.’’
John Musila, Member of Parliament representing Bubulo East constituency in Namisindwa district said that Give Direct targeted about 500 families in the entire Namisindwa district but none has so far got money.
Mr Musila however, disagrees with the proposal of the government to take over land for the targeted families which will get 17 million shillings since the money is small compared to the families who were relocated to the Bunambutye disaster resettlement area located in Bulambuli.
‘’Each of those families, government gave them a free permanent house, and two acres of land among other benefits valued at over 200 million shillings but their original land was left for them to carry out farming,’’ Honourable Musila said in a bitter voice.
Jackson Wakwaika, the LCV chairperson of Namisindwa district also said that as they wait for Give direct and the prime minister’s office to relocate people living in the disaster area, the government should give taupelines and other requirements to all districts in Bugisu sub-region.
Mr. Wakwaika said, ‘’Those taupelines will help the district disaster management team to put camps at gazetted areas where people living in disaster-prone areas can relocate before June as the minister has said.”
The LCV also said that so far all districts in the Bugisu region are not prepared for June’s heavy downpour which is dangerous.
John Kisaka, a resident of Bubale cell Bumbo town council in Namisindwa district who is one of the targeted people to benefit from Give direct money said that currently wide landslide’s cracks have hit part of his living house putting his life and of his other family members at risk.
‘’ my family is willing to vacate to a safe place before June as the minister said but we don’t have money to buy another land’’ Mr. Kisaka said.
Kisaka also urged Give direct and government to expedite the process of relocating them such that they cannot lose lives during the heavy downpour.
13 years ago, Nametsi parish in Budensi sub-county, Bududa district suffered a tragedy where more than 300 people were killed in landslide with properties like animals, crops, and houses buried.
