By Ben Musanje
Residents living in landslide-prone areas of Bududa District have expressed mixed reactions to the government’s relocation exercise, with some welcoming the Shs18 million compensation package while others insist on remaining on their ancestral land.
The disagreement emerged during a verification exercise conducted by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and a team of ministers, including Sam Engola, Simon Mulongo and Esther Anyakun, who visited the district to assess communities earmarked for relocation from high-risk areas on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Residents of Bulucheke Sub-county have welcomed the government’s offer of Shs18 million to facilitate their relocation to safer areas. However, many residents of Busirwa Sub-county, particularly those living around Nusu Hills, remain reluctant to leave their homes.
Nusu Hills is home to hundreds of households, with more than 1,000 people reported to be living in the area. The settlement has been identified among locations considered vulnerable to landslides, prompting the government to seek the relocation of residents to safer places.
During the visit, Nabbanja joined the delegation in climbing the hills to assess the terrain and engage residents. The area’s difficult accessibility highlighted the challenges faced by communities living on the steep slopes of Mount Elgon.
Despite the risks, residents of Busirwa told the government team they were unwilling to abandon their ancestral land, where they have established homes and livelihoods over generations.
Some residents said they had received funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM) and invested them in income-generating activities, including purchasing cattle and growing coffee.
Nabbanja acknowledged the concerns raised by the community but expressed concern about the number of people living in the vulnerable areas and questions surrounding the beneficiaries of government support.
The reluctance to relocate presents a challenge for authorities seeking to move households away from areas considered dangerous, as the exercise requires balancing public safety concerns with residents’ attachment to their land and existing livelihoods.
In contrast, residents of Bulucheke Sub-county welcomed the proposed Shs18 million package, saying they were willing to accept the offer and move to safer areas.
The government’s verification exercise is intended to assess the communities affected and support plans to relocate people living in landslide-prone areas of Bududa.
The visit comes amid continued concerns over the safety of communities living on Mount Elgon’s unstable slopes, where landslides pose a threat to lives, homes and livelihoods. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
