Gov’t to buy land for Kasese flood victims

Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The government has proposed to buy land and resettle internally displaced persons-IDPs in Kasese district.

More than 200 households have spent at least 10 months in an Internally Displaced Camp-IDP in Muhokya sub-county after floods ravaged the district in May last year.

Last week, more than 20 households were also displaced and are currently camped at the Humanist school in Rukoki sub-county.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has now directed the Ministers of Luwero- Rwenzori affairs, ICT and National Guidance and Members of Parliament from Kasese to identify land to resettle the affected persons.

Nabbanja who was in Kasese on Tuesday and visited the camps said she had been directed by President Museveni to ensure displaced persons are settled.

Nabbanja also said her office has extended some relief to the victims of the floods. The items included 40,000 kgs of maize flour, 20,000kgs beans, 2000 kilograms of sugar, 100 boxes of soap among other non-food items.

The Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hillary Onek directed the commissioner for disaster Rose Nakabugo to work with Kasese district leadership to identify the space and present a report to the government as soon as possible.

Beatrice Anywar, the Minister of State for Environment who accompanied the PM challenged local leaders to jointly expedite the process so that the displaced persons can restart their lives again.

The proposal by the government has excited some of the displaced people. Elizabeth Biira, a mother of six welcomed the decision as a relief to mothers who have been struggling to find enough food for their children.

She hopes she will be able to resume her farming practice once she acquires a piece of land.

Eroni Suleiman says the land currently they are settling on has a poor texture to handle agriculture. He says they have been used to labour on their own to provide for their families.

Sitalusi Muhindo says they have been praying to acquire land. She says the best thing for her family is having a place they can call home.

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