Tensions Rise in Kasoli Parish as Residents Protest Delayed SGR Compensation
David Ayere, the Public Relations Officer for the SGR project, admitted that discussions around compensation were ongoing.
More than 50 residents of Kasoli Parish in Tororo Municipality have taken to the streets to protest the government's delayed compensation following their displacement due to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.
Brandishing placards and chanting in frustration, the protesters decried the government’s failure to compensate them for their homes, which were demolished to pave the way for the SGR construction.
Led by their chairperson, David Batanga, the group accused authorities of neglecting their repeated pleas for fair compensation.
Despite numerous attempts to engage with officials, Batanga said their efforts have yielded no results.
“We have tried everything to make our voices heard. We’ve visited all relevant ministries, but all we’ve received are empty promises,” Batanga lamented, explaining how they’ve made multiple trips to Kampala to seek redress from the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Works and Transport, and even Parliament.
Albert Amula, the deputy Resident District Commissioner for Tororo, acknowledged the residents' grievances.
He advised them to submit an official letter to the Ministry of Lands to expedite the resolution process, expressing his hope that formal communication would push the issue forward.
“Their concerns are genuine, and I have advised them to pursue formal communication with the relevant authorities for action,” Amula stated.
David Ayere, the Public Relations Officer for the SGR project, admitted that discussions around compensation were ongoing.
While he noted that efforts were being made to resolve the matter, he urged the affected group to communicate directly with the Ministry of Works and Transport if they believed the process was being unduly delayed.
The displaced residents have been waiting for compensation since the demolition began several years ago.
The government's decision to commence the SGR construction without resolving the compensation issue has heightened tensions in Kasoli Parish, leading to the current protest.
The SGR project, which aims to establish an efficient transport network connecting Uganda to neighboring countries, is seen as a cornerstone for economic transformation.
However, for the displaced residents of Kasoli Parish, the delay in compensation has turned the project into a symbol of broken promises.
As tensions rise, the residents have vowed not to relent until their claims are resolved, demanding a fair and timely conclusion to their long-standing compensation grievances.
