In 2010, Bugisu subregion experienced one of the deadliest landslides in Uganda, resulting in nearly 400 deaths. The situation was dire, with villages struggling to dig up neighbors buried under mud. Minister for disaster preparedness and refugees, Hon. Tarsis Kabwegyere, reported 80 bodies recovered and 300 people feared buried. The region has since seen a significant reduction in mass deaths, attributed to proper planning and political will.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has taken a hands-on approach to address the landslide issue in Bugisu. When she was appointed, she faced a similar situation in Kasese, where she discovered relief items were of poor quality. She refused to hand over the items, demonstrating her commitment to the welfare of affected communities. Her office is now providing a one-off resettlement payment of UGX 18 million per eligible household to facilitate relocation.

The initiative has been welcomed by locals, who see it as a noble effort to help them relocate to safer areas. Barrister Peter Magomu Mashate, a representative of the Bamasaaba people, has expressed support for the initiative, citing the need for a holistic approach to address the landslide issue. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the allocated funds are not misused.

The Ugandan government has allocated UGX 62 billion to resettle about 13,000 people affected by landslides in Bugisu. The initiative aims to provide alternative places for people to settle and continue their livelihoods. The Prime Minister's hands-on approach has been praised by locals and representatives of the affected communities.

The landslide issue in Bugisu has been a long-standing problem, with previous efforts to address it yielding limited results. However, with the current initiative, there is hope that the situation will improve. The Prime Minister's commitment to the welfare of the affected communities has been evident in her actions, including traveling on bodaboda to reach disaster-prone sites.

The relocation initiative is expected to provide relief to communities that have been living in landslide-prone areas. The funds will be used to facilitate the relocation of eligible households, providing them with a chance to start anew. The initiative has been hailed as a step in the right direction, with many calling for its continuation and expansion.

Key stakeholders, including the Prime Minister's office and the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, are working together to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative. The Ugandan government has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the landslide issue, and the cash and carry initiative is a significant step towards providing relief to affected communities.

Key points

  • The Ugandan government has allocated UGX 62 billion to resettle about 13,000 people affected by landslides in Bugisu.
  • Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja's initiative provides UGX 18 million per eligible household for relocation.
  • The landslide issue in Bugisu has been a long-standing problem, with previous efforts yielding limited results.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.