By Ali Mambule

OVER 200 squatters on Masaka Hospital land have been ordered to vacate to allow the construction of the hospital staff quarters.

The squatters had occupied three square miles adjacent to the hospital in Kasambya .

The medical superintendent, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, said the hospital needed more houses for its staff.

Lukwago said they got funds from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency to construct residential houses.

He said most of the squatters were former employees of the hospital who were sacked for lack of qualifications.

Masaka resident district commissioner Barnabas Bwambale, the hospital administrators and the Police recently met the residents and told them to vacate the land.

“Today, I came here to give you instructions to leave the hospital land. You settled on this land knowing that one day, the owner, the Government, will need it and that day has come,” Bwambale told the residents.

He explained that the Government’s programme of expanding the hospital could not be hampered by the illegal settlers.

Bwambale expressed concern over threats by some squatters that they would not leave the land on which they had lived for many years unless they were compensated.

“If the Government can provide food, clothing and shelter to refugees, why not compensate us the nationals who have never had any free things from the Government?” asked Joseph Walukagga, a squatter.

Bwambale said some squatters were eligible for compensation but the majority would not be paid since they were not invited to settle on the land.