Govt halts giving titles to resettled Bududa victims

Mar 19, 2018

Apuuli said the land titles were ready, but the Government fears that when it avails the titles to the victims, many will sell off the land and flee to other areas.

PIC: Minister Apuuli planting a tree during the launch of the houses in Kiryandongo. (Credit: Stella Naigino)

RESETTLEMENT


KIYRANDONGO - The Government has resolved to halt the issuing of land titles to the 2010 Bududa landslide victims, who were resettled in Kiryandongo for fear that they will sell off the land.

It argues that the people need to first be sensitised on the importance of land and the need to develop it.

According to Ernest Kizza Apuuli, the state minister for Bunyoro affairs, the victims have been given time to settle on the land and develop it, which will be proof of settlement.

Apuuli said the land titles were ready, but the Government fears that when it avails the titles to the victims, many will sell off the land and flee to other areas.

"We want to first sensitise the victims on the importance of developing the land and when we are satisfied that they have settled, we will then give them the titles," Apuuli said.

Apuuli made the remarks while officiating at the commissioning of 36 houses built for the landslide victims in Kiryandongo recently.

The houses were built by Habitat for Humanity in partnership with Koica and MTN.

Leticia Kiyingi, the acting director Habitat for Humanity, said so far they have built 127 houses for the victims since 2012.

Kiyingi urged the beneficiaries to ensure sanitation to keep away diseases.

The area MP, Hellen Kahunde, urged the residents to plant trees near their houses.

Meanwhile, the residents, who say seven years is a long time before getting land titles, are afraid of developing land that "does not belong to them".

The 2010 Bududa landslides that left many people dead and others displaced. Many were resettled in Kiryandongo.

When they were resettled in Kiryandongo, the victims of the catastrophe were given two acres of land each family, however, many have been hesitant to develop the land, saying they have no proof of ownership.

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