Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and the Umukuka of Inzu Ya Masaaba, His Highness Mike Jude Mudoma, have agreed to support the governmentโs relocation of families living in landslide-prone areas of the Bugisu sub-region to safer locations.
The agreement, reached during a meeting at Mbale Resort Hotel, follows President Yoweri Museveniโs directive to relocate communities in high-risk areas before the next rainy season. Government has allocated Shs43 billion to support approximately 1,100 vulnerable households, with each eligible family receiving a one-off Shs18 million to acquire land and resettle.
Nabbanja explained that the cash-based approach gives families the freedom to choose where to settle, noting that purchasing land for large numbers of households had become increasingly difficult. She emphasised that the money is intended to save lives, not serve as compensation.
Umukuka Mudoma welcomed the initiative and pledged cultural support, while proposing an additional three-year rehabilitation grant of Shs9 million per household to help relocated families rebuild their livelihoods. He also supported handing over vacated land to the Uganda Wildlife Authority for integration into Mount Elgon National Park to prevent future encroachment.
Government has assured beneficiaries of a transparent relocation process, with December 31 set as the deadline for families to harvest their remaining crops before vacating. Abandoned homes will subsequently be demolished to allow the land to return to its natural state.
The agreement marks an important step towards protecting communities repeatedly affected by deadly landslides on the slopes of Mount Elgon and securing a safer future for the people of Bugisu.
