Mulongo Rubbishes Land Grabbing Claims, Urges Bugisu Residents to Embrace Shs18m Relocation Support

BUGISU SUB-REGION– State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development(Employment and Industrial Relations), Hon. Simon Mulongo Wetende, has dismissed allegations that government intends to grab land belonging to residents of Bugisu Sub-region under the ongoing landslide relocation programme, insisting that the initiative is strictly aimed at protecting lives and safeguarding communities exposed to natural disasters.

Mulongo, who is representing the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, in coordinating the relocation programme in landslide-prone areas of Masaabaland and other parts of the country, said government has no hidden agenda of taking over people's land following their relocation to safer areas.

The Minister described claims that the relocation exercise is a land-grabbing scheme as false propaganda being circulated by individuals seeking to undermine a government intervention designed to prevent further loss of lives in communities vulnerable to landslides.

He maintained that the programme is being implemented in response to the dangers posed by landslides, particularly in mountainous areas of Bugisu, where communities continue to face the threat of devastating natural disasters.

"Government is not grabbing anybody's land. This is purely a government intervention intended to save lives. There are people spreading falsehoods that government wants to take people's land after relocating them, but those are lies intended to frustrate the Presidential directive," Mulongo said. 

Shs18 million is voluntary support

Clarifying the financial arrangements under the relocation programme, Mulongo explained that the Shs18 million government cash transfer is intended to support willing households in acquiring land in safer locations away from landslide-prone areas.

He emphasised that the money is not compensation for surrendering land to government, nor does it constitute a mechanism for forcibly dispossessing residents of their ancestral property.

According to the Minister, participation in the programme is voluntary, and no household should be compelled to abandon its land against its wishes.

He urged residents to understand the purpose of the financial assistance and make informed decisions based on the safety of their families rather than being influenced by rumours and misinformation. 

Mulongo warns against politicising relocation programme

The Minister also called upon political and local government leaders in Bugisu Sub-region to desist from what he described as cheap politics surrounding the relocation exercise, warning that political contestation could jeopardise an important public safety intervention.

He observed that misinformation and political statements are confusing communities and discouraging some vulnerable households from accepting the Shs18 million support intended to help them acquire land in safer areas.

Mulongo cautioned that political disagreements would not protect residents when landslides occur, stressing that the priority should be preventing avoidable deaths and protecting families living in high-risk locations.

He urged leaders to put aside their political differences and work collectively with government to ensure that communities understand the dangers associated with remaining in landslide-prone areas.

"Politics will not save lives when landslides strike. Our responsibility as leaders is to protect our people by sensitising them about the dangers they face and encouraging them to embrace interventions that can safeguard their future," he emphasised. 

Leaders urged to mobilise communities

Mulongo specifically appealed to Local Council chairpersons, councillors and Members of Parliament from Bugisu Sub-region to take an active role in mobilising and educating their communities about the relocation programme.

He said local leaders are strategically positioned to engage directly with households, clarify concerns and address misconceptions that could undermine the implementation of the initiative.

The Minister stressed that the success of the programme requires cooperation between central government, political leaders, cultural stakeholders and local communities.

He further urged leaders to provide accurate information rather than making statements that could create unnecessary suspicion and resistance among residents facing the threat of landslides.

Government prioritises protection of lives

The relocation programme is part of government's broader efforts to address the recurring threat of landslides in mountainous communities, particularly in the Elgon region, where heavy rainfall and unstable terrain have historically exposed families to devastating disasters.

For communities in Bugisu, the challenge has increasingly highlighted the difficult balance between protecting human life and preserving ancestral land, cultural attachment and established livelihoods.

Government's Shs18 million support is intended to help affected households transition to safer locations and reduce their exposure to future landslide disasters.

Mulongo reiterated that residents should not allow rumours to discourage them from considering the available intervention, adding that protecting human life must remain the overriding consideration.

He appealed to the people of Bugisu Sub-region to disregard misinformation, seek clarification from responsible government authorities and embrace the relocation programme voluntarily for the safety of their families.

The Minister maintained that the initiative should be viewed as a life-saving intervention rather than a political or land ownership dispute, calling for unity, responsible leadership and community cooperation in addressing the persistent landslide threat in Masaabaland.