Government Rolls Out New Shs18 Million Landslide Resettlement Drive in Bugisu

The Ugandan government has officially initiated a new resettlement drive aimed at protecting communities living in landslide-prone areas across the Bugisu Sub-region. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja launched the exercise in Namisindwa District, noting that the intervention forms part of a broader disaster-mitigation framework running since 2010.

Under this latest strategy, eligible households will receive Shs18 million each to facilitate relocation to safer areas of their choice. The rollout targets 10 villages across 10 sub-counties in Namisindwa as an immediate priority. The Office of the Prime Minister reports that over 13,000 individuals remain at high risk due to ongoing heavy rains, prompting a presidential directive for swift action backed by a Shs62 billion allocation.

Local leaders and beneficiaries have shared mixed reactions regarding the financial package. Mbale District LC5 Chairperson Tony Wamakale praised the shift toward cash transfers, explaining that it allows victims to independently select land where they prefer to live. Similarly, Namisindwa District LC5 Chairperson Emma Bwayo welcomed the timely intervention to save vulnerable lives.

However, some survivors have expressed concern that Shs18 million may be insufficient to cover land purchases and home construction amid rising material costs. Past resettlement efforts, such as the mass relocations to Kiryandongo District and the Bunambutye camp in Bulambuli District, faced hurdles including slow implementation, inadequate infrastructure, and some families returning to high-risk ancestral lands.

For more details on this initiative, read the Daily Monitor.