By Ben Musanje
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has handed over 60 acres of land to DEVKI Steel Mills Ltd to facilitate the commencement of iron ore mining in Rubanda District, while directing the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to fast-track compensation for people affected by the project.
Nabbanja handed over the land during a meeting with residents of Mufumba Village in Butare-Katojo Town Council, where she said the investment would transform the area and create new opportunities for the local community.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Lands to address outstanding complaints from project-affected persons (PAPs) and complete the compensation process within one week to ensure the investor faces no further delays.
“We need to see and move person by person, land by land, so that within one week we are through, so that the investor does not get any disturbances,” Nabbanja said.
She said 161 people had been identified as project-affected persons and questioned why the compensation process had taken so long, noting that President Yoweri Museveni had issued directives on the project several months earlier.
Nabbanja also ordered the immediate payment of the 30 percent disturbance allowance to project-affected persons.
“I direct that the 30% disturbance allowance to the people who have been the PAPs, the Project Affected Persons, be given in the shortest time possible,” she said.
The Prime Minister said the Ministry of Finance had already provided funds to support the compensation exercise, and urged officials to ensure the money reaches the affected residents.
Nabbanja said the development of the iron ore project is in line with President Museveni’s emphasis on adding value to Uganda’s mineral resources before export.
She said the President had instructed her to facilitate investors to establish projects in Rubanda, taking advantage of the district’s mineral deposits to stimulate economic development.
“His Excellency the President has instructed me to take investors to Rubanda so that the area can develop due to the existing minerals,” Nabbanja said.
The Executive Chairman of DEVKI Group of Companies, Dr Narendra Raval, popularly known as Guru, outlined the anticipated benefits of the investment to Rubanda and Uganda at large.
Local leaders also welcomed the project, with Rubanda District LC V Chairperson Stephen Kasiaba and Col. Emmy Katabazi, Senior Presidential Advisor on Security and Intelligence, saying residents support the investment.
By Friday, 99 of the 161 project-affected persons had reportedly received adequate compensation, bringing the project closer to commencement.
The iron ore investment is expected to contribute to the exploitation and value addition of Uganda’s mineral resources while creating economic opportunities in Rubanda. :::
This structure makes the compensation directive the main secondary angle, so the story consistently delivers on the promise of the headline. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
