Residents of Buliisa District Demand Compensation After 2020 Flood Displacement

Buliisa District | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Over 1,000 residents hailing from Buliisa district are pressing the government for compensation in the wake of devastating floods. These residents, who reside in six sub-counties within Buliisa district, found themselves displaced due to the inundation caused by Lake Albert in 2020.

The flooding significantly impacted Butiaba Town Council, Wanseko Town Council, Bugoigo, Buliisa, and Kigwera, leading to the destruction of numerous buildings and personal property. Their demand for compensation stems from assurances made by the then Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, who personally assessed the extent of the damage and pledged assistance to those severely affected.

Godfrey Tibikanya, the General Secretary of LC1 in Wanseko Cell, expressed the plight of the victims. He revealed that they are still forced to rent elsewhere, despite their land remaining available. He emphasized the deep roots of their community, having been settled there for over a century. Tibikanya lamented the loss of their property to the floodwaters, leaving them with no alternative locations for construction. Some are now relegated to renting and insisted that the government, despite designating the land as a wetland, should compensate them.

Fredrick Wathumu, a resident of Kisanya East, expressed the prevailing sense of neglect among the affected residents. He pointed out that there are legally registered residents, including business owners like hotel proprietors, who should be readily identifiable by the government for compensation.

Billy Rwothungeyo, a media officer specializing in minority rights, stressed the necessity for the government to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation program for these individuals, encompassing resettlement and facilitating their transition to new economic activities. He highlighted the absence of political representation for some residents in these areas, underscoring the risk of leaving them behind in the context of national development.

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