Government departments differ on Shs 200 billion compensation demand by squatters on Isimba Dam

Government departments are divided on whether to pay Shs 200 billion as compensation to people who claimed they owned the rocks that were blasted to aid in the construction of Isimba dam in Kayunga.

The former permanent secretary Ministry of Lands, David Gabidande-Musoke, told the land probe that he declined to approve  the compensation and referred the matter to the ministry of Energy and the Solicitor General who all interpreted the laws differently.

But the claimants who say they depended on the stones as a source of livelihood have since dragged government to court,  attracting the attention of the ongoing land inquiry.

The impasse has hindered the progress of the construction of the dam and exposed divisions within government departments over the interpretation of the claims

"The matter for squatters came and we asked the solicitor general to advise us on what the Constitution says. He told us that the law needs to be changed because it talks about stones and not rocks," Gabindadde-Musoke said.

Eventually, he said, the compensation was approved.

Gabindadde-Musoke said he could not rule out the fact that some government officials wanted to benefit from the deal.

‘’I do not disagree with you because the problem that is affecting government departments is lack of coordination between the lands ministry and the ministry of energy," said Gabindadde-Musoke.’’

Some of the residents of Isimba led by a one Dison Nsubuga have already received Shs 27 million as part of the compensation but they want more.

Other line government departments mentioned in this case will have to make their own defence with regards to their role and interpretation of the land laws.