Six years later, Muhokya IDPs still wait for permanent homes

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Six years after devastating floods displaced hundreds of families in Kasese district, 1,648 internally displaced persons (IDPs) living at Muhokya camp say they have lost hope in the government’s promise of permanent resettlement.

What was meant to be a temporary refuge has instead turned into a prolonged humanitarian crisis marked by uncertainty, collapsing shelters, poor sanitation, disease outbreaks and limited access to clean water, healthcare and education.

The displaced families, who have been living in tents since 2020, marked six years in the camp on May 7, 2026, accusing authorities of abandoning them despite repeated assurances from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Speaking to New Vision on May 24, 2026, camp chairperson Rehemah Namale Aryema explained that the victims were displaced after heavy rains triggered flooding in major rivers across the district.

She said rivers, including Nyamwamba, Nyamughasana and Lhubiriha, burst their banks, affecting areas such as Nyamwamba Division, Maliba Subcounty and Bugoye sub-county.

"After the incident, we were sheltered at Kanyangeya Primary School for seven months, and on December 18, 2020, the Office of the Prime Minister relocated us to Muhokya up to date," Aryema said.

Why relocation delayed

The government later announced that more than sh2 billion had been released to purchase 2,000 acres of land in Bwenanule-Kinyabakazi in Muhokya town council for the resettlement exercise.

However, the relocation process stalled after residents occupying the land reportedly challenged the transaction in court.

Bwenanule-Kinyabakazi LC1 chairperson Lawrence Bwambale said he never signed any land sale agreement, dealing a further blow to the planned resettlement.

Life inside the camp

Aryema said the ongoing rainy season and strong winds have destroyed many of the temporary shelters, forcing some families to seek refuge on verandas at Muhokya town council headquarters and in nearby homes.

"The prolonged stay here has exposed our families to disease, hunger and emotional distress, but again up to 13 people have lost their lives so far," Namale said.

"We feel abandoned by authorities after years of unfulfilled promises of permanently resettling them," She added.

Some camp residents, who preferred anonymity, alleged that certain individuals could be benefiting from the prolonged displacement through continued relief allocations. They called for investigations into how funds meant for resettlement have been handled.

As the new school term begins, many children remain out of school. Parents said that without stable incomes, decent shelter and basic scholastic materials, returning their children to class has become increasingly difficult.

Calls for alternative resettlement plan

Kasese district chairperson Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi has backed residents of Bwenanule in Muhokya town council who are resisting alleged land grabbers accused of selling their land to the government for the resettlement of Muhokya IDPs.

Muhindi said district leaders advised the government to recover its money after learning that suspected fraudsters had allegedly deceived officials into believing they owned land in the area. He maintained that the individuals who sold the land were not recognised as legitimate landowners by the local community.

According to Muhindi, district leaders have urged the government not to evict the current occupants of the land in Bwenanule but instead identify and purchase genuine land suitable for resettling the flood victims.

"Alternatively, give money to each of the affected persons individually so that they can buy for themselves land in places they prefer to stay," Muhindi said.