BY OBED KULE KITHENDE
A section of local residents from Kyarumba Town Council, Bukonzo County East in Kasese district whose pieces of land were affected by the Nyamugasani River Project have complained of delayed compensation.
The residents allege that during the project implementation, their crop gardens were destroyed but no compensation has been done, a reason why they demand the company to come on ground and explain to them what could be the challenge.
Funded by the World Bank through the Government of Uganda, the multi-billion Nyamugasani Water Project is expected to benefit 12 lower local governments in Kasese District.
Ms Harriet Muhindo, Semu Mukyiruka,Stella Mbambu and Mr. Deo Baluku, some of the affected residents said their crop gardens were the only source of money to support their families.
According to them, ever since they were taken by the project, they have been struggling to get other pieces of land where to plant some food crops.
The residents made the revelations yesterday during a community engagement that was chaired by the Kasese Deputy RDC in-charge of Bukonzo County, Lt. Maate Magwara at Kabughabugha Trading Centre.
The residents therefore demanded for government’s response towards addressing their concerns.
Mr. Moses Kawanawo, the Project’sCommunity Liaisons Officer revealed that the compensation program was under way.He, however, attributed the delay to compensate the victims to the governments’ assessor.
He cautioned the local residents against engaging in acts related to vandalism as the concerned authorities intervene into the matter.
Responding to the issues, Lt. Magwara attributed the delay to the inconveniences associated with the end of the 2023/2024 financial year.
ENDS