BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
As Kasese District Security Committee continues implementing its resolution calling for the dissolution of a temporarily established camp at the RDC’s office in Kasese town, the children and older persons have allegedly become victims of starvation.
Since the directive came into effect, some of the occupants who had gone outside were blocked from going back to the camp and have since camped on the streets along the Rwenzori Square in Kasese town.
Nearly three months ago, some people who were living on different disputed pieces of land across the district decided to camp at the RDC’s office demanding justice.
More than a week in the camp, the Minister of State for Lands, Hon. Dr. Sam Mayanja visited the district and held a meeting with the leaders of the affected persons and the political leadership so that he gets clear information about the possible causes of the land conflicts.
Dr. Mayanja later proceeded to the camp and advised the occupants to go back to their respective homes as government sends surveyors to embark on boundary opening and issue titles to individuals in a period of three months.
On Tuesday, August 19, the Kasese District Security Committee Chaired by the RDC, Lt Joe Walusimbi directed the people encamped at the RDC’s offices to vacate the place and return to their respective homes as they wait for the government to finalize the matter.
The RDC argued that they reached a resolution after receiving complaints from the Municipal authorities pointing to the poor sanitation at the camp, stalled infrastructural construction works coupled with security threats.
He subsequently deployed security operatives around the camp in an attempt to facilitate the process of ensuring that everyone leaves the place while those that had gone out of the premises be denied access.
Today morning, Messiah Radio visited the people who have been denied entry into the camp and interacted with them especially the juveniles.
Elvin Mbambu, a 7-year-old girl from Kabukero village in Karusandara sub-county who is among the people sleeping on Street along the Rwenzori Square, argued that she left her mother in the camp and since then, she has been re-united with her.
She narrated that she was feeding on the leftovers that the residents dump at the garbage collection site.
Linnet Muhindo, a13-year-old girl from Kyarumba sub-county explained that the conditions under which they were sleeping are associated with poor health and hygiene as well as the prevalence of mosquitoes.
Surgeon Talimwa, a 16-year-old boy from Kakoga village in Bunyangabu District, who claimed that they have a share on the piece of land in Kyabatukura, proposed to the government to reverse her decision of evicting them from the camp so that they are re-united with their parents.
Fedress Kabugho, a 75-year-old woman from Kyabatukura complained that she was not affording money to pay to Kasese Municipal Council that is charged to whoever uses the public latrines located at the Rwenzori Square.
ENDS