Minister, MPs clash over Sebei region resettlements

By Moses Walubiri

GENERAL Duties Minister in Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere and legislators sitting on the Presidential Affairs Committee on Tuesday had a heated argument as the former academic-turned politician accused the latter of frustrating government efforts to resettle displaced people in Sebei region.

Kabwegyere, with a team of technocrats from OPM and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in tow was at parliament to answer queries about mooted plans to resettle displaced people.

A number of people belonging to the Benet, Ndorobo and Yatui in the three districts that make up Sebei region – Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Kween - are currently landless following the 1972 gazettment of their land as part of Mt. Elgon National Park.

"Its government's duty to resettle displaced Ugandans. Let government do its work. You can come in later to audit us but the more we spend time politicking over this issue, the more we complicate matters," Kabwegyere, after submitting a written response to MPs' queries over the issue said.

Kabwegyere, a former Igara West legislator, thought his comprehensive submission had answered all outstanding queries about the method of resettlement and families of beneficiaries – suggesting that the meeting be concluded.

However, committee vice chairperson, Peter Ogwang, who was chairing the session tersely reminded Kabwegyere that his status as a witness before the committee did not accord him the privilege of determining how the committee concluded its meeting.

"Hon. Minister, I am chair of this committee. I will not allow you to usurp my powers," Ogwang said, with Amuria Woman MP, Susan Amero, telling Kabwegyere to go and "revise parliamentary rules of procedures."

Kabwegyere who had earlier told the committee that two MPs from Sebei had fraudulently benefited from the 2011 allocation of land to displaced persons in Sebei, looked irritated as lawmakers peppered his 'entourage' with questions about identity of beneficiaries for the land earmarked to resettle the displaced.

Although MPs are set to meet chairpersons from the three districts, Kabwegyere vowed that government will start to resettle the estimated 926 people in the three districts today.

"The rains are coming and they will not wait for a committee of parliament to meet and agree on everything," Kabwegyere said.

UWA Executive Director, Dr. Andrew Seguya, cautioned against agitation to degazette part of Mt. Elgon National Park to resettle displaced people saying it could have serious environmental ramifications for an area that is prone to landslides.

Government has earmarked 817.8 hectares for the mooted resettlement with each of the 926 landless Ndorobo/Benet families set to be allocated 1 hectare.