Bulambuli resettlement: 101 families get two acres and sh10m

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Uganda government has offered 101 families sh10m and two acres for permanent relocation after they were displaced by the landslides in Bulugunya sub-county in Bulambuli district.

The prime minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja, on Tuesday (March 31) handed over the package during the events in Kween district.

On Tuesday, Robinah Nabbanja launched phase two of the resettlement exercise at events held in Giriki sub-county in Kween District in Sebei sub-region, where the government acquired 1318 acres to resettle the families.

Government also pledged to provide food and some other essential items for six months until they rebuild their lives.

Huge crowds who witnessed the events include the beneficiaries.

In November 2024, close to 30 people died as a result of landslides that occurred in Bulambuli district on the slope of Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda. 

At the events to formalise the resettlement, the permanent secretary in the office of the prime minister, Alex Kakooza, revealed that the Government will procure more land to resettle people in risky areas.

Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja, hands over a package to one of the beneficiaries. (Credit: Paul Watala)

The Premier stated that with the guidance of President Yoweri Museveni, the Government provided sh56 billion to resettle households at risk of landslides and flash floods in the Bugisu sub-region.

So far, the Government has acquired 1,318 acres of land (Plots 756,757 and 805) where the formal resettlement events were held. 

According to Nabbanja, government has also provided sh10m to each of 97 households from Buluganya and Sisiyi sub-counties (Sironko District) and 24 households from Namisuni village (Bulambuli District) – totalling sh1.21b to support the construction of their homes.

"Today, I launch the payment of sh10m to each of 101 households who have also handed over their land in exchange for two acres and financial support to build their own homesteads. This amounts to sh1.10 billion." She said while addressing a large crowd at the formal resettlement events.

She said that the households are part of the 1,224 households resettled in 2024 at the holding ground in Bunambutye, Bulambuli District, from Buluganya in Sironko District and Bududa District.  

Nabbanja said that the approach will enable the Government to provide essential services such as schools, health facilities, water, and roads in a centralised area, while also freeing up land for productive activities such as agriculture.

"We are grateful to all partners we have worked with us in this resettlement effort over the years, including Uganda Red Cross and GiveDirectly, who provided cash support to 3,000 households identified as being at high risk of landslides in Bududa District," Nabbanja said.

She also asked that the hosting districts should integrate the new population into their District Development Plans and budgets. 

Explaining the new resettlement, which includes cash, the Premier explained that if the Government were to construct a house for each of these households, it would take many years to resettle everyone at risk, yet many families have been exposed to landslides for a long period.

"We therefore adopted the approach of providing each household with two acres of land and sh10 million to support them in constructing their own houses," she said.

"We are happy that government has shifted from building houses toward a "cash transfer" strategy to empower victims to purchase land and rebuild themselves, a move aimed at accelerating the process," Nabulo said.

She highlighted that previous relocations were slow, with only about 10% of vulnerable residents moved to the Bunambutye resettlement camp in Bulambuli, leaving over 100,000 still in danger. 

Encouraging the partners to continue working with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to support resettled families, Nabbanjja also asked the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to migrate their data from the districts of origin to the new districts.

Nabbanja directed the MDAs to work with the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management in her office to identify the needs of the resettled households for inclusion in their respective sectoral plans.

She reminded residents in the fragile ecosystem in the region, especially on the steep mountain slopes, of the need to practice proper land use, protect the environment, plant trees, and vacate dangerous enclaves. 

Tough-talking Nabbanja issued an ultimatum for voluntary relocation, warning that those refusing to move from high-risk zones will be forcefully evacuated to prevent further loss of life.

Several local leaders from Mount Elgon and Sebei sub-regions highlighted the need to accelerate the relocation of over 10,000 households still living in high-risk landslide areas.

Sironko district woman member of Parliament Asha Nabulo thanked colleagues who have shifted from previous resistance to supporting immediate evacuation, urging a permanent, well-funded resettlement plan over temporary measures. 

Nabulo welcomed the initiative but demanded it be expedited to cover all residents at risk, ensuring no one is left behind in hazardous zones.

While commending the government for the intervention, Fred Gimei, on behalf of the beneficiaries, asked government to provide communal tractors which will enable the families to open up farms for food crops.