By Ben Musanje
The King of the Bamasaba, His Majesty Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma, has pledged the Bugisu cultural institution’s support for the government’s plan to relocate communities living in landslide-prone areas of Mount Elgon to safer locations.
Mudoma made the commitment during a meeting with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at Mbale Resort Hotel in Mbale City, where the two leaders discussed the proposed resettlement programme and the role of cultural leadership in ensuring its success.
The proposed relocation targets communities living in high-risk areas of Mount Elgon, where recurring landslides and soil erosion pose a serious threat to human life and property.
The Umukuuka acknowledged the importance of the government’s intervention, pledging to mobilize and encourage his subjects to embrace the resettlement exercise as a critical measure to protect lives.
However, he urged government to consider providing more comprehensive support packages to the affected communities to ease their transition and help them rebuild their livelihoods in new settlements.
The request highlights the importance of addressing the social and economic concerns of displaced families, beyond simply relocating them from dangerous areas.
The Kingdom of Bugisu, popularly known as Bamasaba, encompasses Mbale, Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko, Namisindwa and Bulambuli districts, with Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma serving as its cultural leader recognized by the Government of Uganda.
Cultural institutions are expected to play an important role in the resettlement process, particularly in building public confidence, mobilizing communities and addressing concerns that could affect the implementation of the government programme.
The meeting was also attended by Mary Grace Mugasa, State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister, and Bulambuli County Member of Parliament Emmanuel Wepukhulu Biara.
Mudoma’s endorsement marks an important step towards strengthening collaboration between government and traditional leadership in addressing the longstanding threat posed by landslides on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
With the support of the Bugisu cultural institution, government could find it easier to engage affected communities and advance its efforts to move families from vulnerable settlements to safer areas. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
