Bududa: Museveni apologises over delayed relocation

President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday apologised to the residents of Bukalasi sub-county in Bududa district over government's delayed relocation of residents from the area that is prone to landslides.

Heavy rains hit the area on Thursday to triggers deadly landslides in which over 40 people have so far been confirmed dead.

"On government's behalf I apologise for the delayed resettlement of those living in landslide-prone areas to safer places, and commit that this process will be fast-tracked to avoid any further casualities," Museveni said.

"I was let down by my people. I apologise on their behalf. A plan was made and the people had agreed to move but it seems there was lack of coordination in government. I apologise for this, we are now going to move very fast," he added.

Museveni, noted that the government was now on the same page with the people on the issue of resettlement and added that sh8b that is budgeted for annually for the next 10 years, will be made available for this exercise.

Bududa district in the foothills of Mount Elgon, which lies on the border between Uganda and Kenya, is a high risk area for landslides.  

At least 100 people were reported killed in a landslide in Bududa in March 2010 and in 2012 landslides destroyed three villages.  

Government efforts to move vulnerable people to neighbouring districts have faced resistance from residents.

The chairman of Bududa district said that residents are ready to move even if they are given the green light today.

Museveni, together with the Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and the disaster preparedness minister, Hilary Onek, among other government and local leaders visited the affected area. The President also cautioned against cultivating and settling on mountain slopes.

"I still caution you against tampering with nature. I have severally spoken about the dangers of cultivating on these mountainous slopes. Some of you had settled and were cultivating on river banks. We should not provoke mother nature," Museveni said.

The President's visit came just hours after the government delivered relief items to victims.

The items include food and other items such as tents, cups, blankets, mosquito nets, jerrycans, saucepans, plates and basins among others.

At least 40 bodies have so far been recovered and a number of people are still unaccounted for.