The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kamuli, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project affected persons (PAPs) staged a protest in Mafubira trading center along the Jinja-Kamuli highway Tuesday, over what they described as delayed compensation.
The protesters, mostly women and youth, marched from areas including Kamuli Road, Mafubira Zone A, and Mafubira Zone C, carrying placards accusing SGR officials of corruption and collusion with the government to label them as wetland encroachers.
The demonstrators blocked the highway using large stones and tree trunks, causing a traffic standstill until midday. Despite the disruption, the PAPs refused to allow vehicles to pass, insisting on marching in the middle of the road to voice their grievances.
The protesters expressed frustration over the delay in compensation, claiming that the acceleration of the construction process without addressing their compensation has hindered their relocation. They criticized SGR project promoters for ignoring their calls for compensation, creating uncertainty about when they will receive funds to facilitate the resettlement of their families.
Led by their chairperson, Brian Mugulusi, the PAPs accused SGR officials of falsely labeling them as illegal settlers in wetlands without providing any substantial evidence. Mugulusi emphasized that the lack of transparency regarding their compensation status has caused anxiety among the affected persons. He noted that requests for reassessment to determine whether they are gazetted wetland encroachers have gone unheeded.
Tarsian Mukasanga, one of the affected persons, stated that they were initially evaluated in 2013, and again in 2021, confirming their eligibility for compensation. However, she lamented that it is unfortunate to now be labeled as wetland encroachers, especially after a decade-long wait for compensation. Mukasanga highlighted the plight of her neighbors who have passed away, leaving behind young families who may face eviction without proper compensation.
Aisha Nakiyingi, another PAP, said that their attempts to engage SGR officials peacefully have been met with hostility. This, she said, has led many PAPs to resort to protests as a means of making their voices heard.
Lovisa Musubika shared that she purchased her one-acre plot with her husband in 1989 and has lived there ever since without any interruptions. It was only when she started seeking compensation for the SGR project that she was told her house was in a wetland. She expressed concern over relocating her children’s graves, saying the situation remains unresolved amid claims of wetland encroachment.
Amina Mirembe, the women councilor for Mafubira ward, noted that 69 out of 300 PAPs are over 80 years old, and there are fears about their future if evicted without compensation. She pointed out that many elderly PAPs rely on small-scale enterprises like kiosks, vegetable gardens, and free-range poultry farming to support their grandchildren, making it even more unjust to deny them compensation after years of waiting.
David Alele, the SGR head of communications, stated that compensation does not cover properties in protected areas such as swamps, wetlands, and forests. However, he mentioned that in cases where wetlands have been degazetted, considerations might be made for surface property, but not the land itself. Alele explained that while the SGR values properties within the project’s path, other parastatals are involved in approving compensation in protected areas.
Alele said they are currently awaiting a report from the Ministry of Water and Environment, which will guide their next steps regarding the issue of these PAPs.
The police eventually cleared the highway, allowing traffic to flow smoothly once again.
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