Kikuube – Local leaders in Kikuube District have urgently appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in a longstanding land conflict that has displaced approximately 60,000 residents since 2013. The affected individuals were evicted from their land, which was reportedly allocated to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) for refugee resettlement programs. Â
The displaced persons, originating from 28 villages in Kyangwali Sub-county, have faced severe hardships since their eviction. Many have been forced to live in temporary camps, where conditions remain dire. Tragically, at least 20 people have died in these settlements due to poor living conditions, with families struggling to afford proper burials for their loved ones. Â
Vincent Opio, Vice Chairperson of Kikuube LCV, emphasised the urgency of the matter, calling on the President to address the crisis during his upcoming visit to the district on the 23rd of this month. "These people were unjustly removed from their ancestral land and have received no compensation," Opio stated. "We implore the President to find a lasting solution." Â
The situation traces back to 2013 when the OPM took over the land to accommodate refugees. Despite a 2016 directive from President Museveni ordering compensation for the displaced families, no payments have been made to date. The affected communities now pin their hopes on the President's impending visit, urging him to fulfil his earlier promise and resolve the humanitarian crisis. Â
Local leaders warn that without immediate intervention, the suffering of these families will only worsen. Many continue to live in deplorable conditions, with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. Â
