Museveni apologises for delayed resettlement of Bududa victims

GERALD MATEMBU

President Museveni has apologized to the people of Bududa for the delayed resettlement as had been promised by government adding that he was let down by his officials.

On Thursday, tragedy befell Sume parish,Bukalasi sub-county in Bududa district when mudslides hit a number of villages following a heavy downpour that lasted over four hours.

There were ugly scenes as a number of bodies were recovered with missing parts like limbs and heads and  others had wounds whereas many were seen floating on running water.

Following the 2010 mudslide that wiped out villages in Bududa and led to death of many people, cabinet took a decision to relocate the survivors to Masindi District, now Kiryandongo but up to now the people have never been relocated.

On Sunday, when he visited the area, Museveni said he was sorry for the delayed resettlement of the people as had been promised by government.

“On government's behalf I apologize for the delayed resettlement of those living in landslide-prone areas to safer places, and commit that this process will be fast-tracked to avoid any further causalities,”Museveni said.

The tough talking president said he had been let down by his people adding that he would not tolerate it anymore.

“I was let down by my people. I apologize on their behalf. A plan was made and the people had agreed to move but it seems there was lack of coordination in government. I apologize for this, we are now going to move very fast.”

According to Museveni, the issue of resettlement for the people of Bududa is no longer debatable adding that he would not tolerate anyone who stands in the way of resettlement program.

The Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda said that government has already secured 3000 acres of land in Bunambutye before noting that the resettlement plan has been approved and that the funds have been secured.

"One of the delays was that the land we bought had counter claims and the court cases took long but am glad to report that this has been resolved. What is pending is to resettle our people,”Rugunda said.

President Museveni however warned locals against tampering with nature and encroachment on national parks.

“I have severally spoken about the dangers of cultivating on these mountainous slopes. Some of you had settled and were cultivating on river banks. We should not provoke mother nature.”

Museveni pledged Shs5 million to families of the deceased and Shs2 million to the families of the victims of the Thursday catastrophe.

The death toll from the Thursday incident has now reached 44 whereas the causalities are 21.

 

Reader's Comments

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST STORIES

Urgent call for environment court to combat climate crimes
climate-change By Joshua Kagoro
10 hours ago
Urgent call for environment court to combat climate crimes
Gen Muhoozi's PLU: A political game changer in Uganda?
politics By Josephine Namakumbi
11 hours ago
Gen Muhoozi's PLU: A political game changer in Uganda?
Does Opposition stand a chance to in Dokolo elections?
politics By Catherine Nakato
11 hours ago
Does Opposition stand a chance to in Dokolo elections?
Masaka NUP meeting breaks up in chaotic scenes
news By Zainab Namusaazi Ssengendo
11 hours ago
Masaka NUP meeting breaks up in chaotic scenes