Mt. Elgon Landslide Victims To Receive Land & Cash Compensation, Museveni Pledges!

By Frank Kamuntu

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assured landslide victims in Bulambuli District of a dignified and permanent resettlement, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding communities living in disaster-prone areas along the Mt. Elgon slopes.

“The families are waiting to be resettled on 2,000 acres. Each family will receive two acres and ten million shillings. We also have 50 billion shillings to buy more land that’s the current arrangement,” President Museveni said.

The Head of State, who also serves as the NRM presidential flag bearer, made the remarks during a campaign rally at Nabbongo Secondary School playground in Bulambuli District.

The pledge is part of the ongoing government programme to resettle victims of recurring landslides that have devastated the Mt. Elgon sub-region particularly Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko, and Bulambuli districts.

President Museveni said the policy of relocating residents from dangerous mountainous zones is rooted in scientific and environmental reasoning.
He likened deforestation and settlement on steep slopes to “undressing Mother Nature,” a metaphor underscoring the importance of conserving forests and vegetation.

“When you see your mother naked, you’re already in danger,” the President said.
“We discouraged you from undressing Mother Nature by cutting down trees that hold the soil together. Once trees are destroyed on steep slopes, the soil is easily washed away.”

He recalled visiting Nametsi Village in Bududa in March 2010, where a massive landslide buried an entire village, killing at least 365 people and displacing thousands.

“It was terrible as if the country had no people of knowledge,” he said. “Now that people know the danger, we shall move full steam to get them out of harm’s way. Each family will receive two acres plus ten million shillings.”

The 2010 Nametsi tragedy, Uganda’s deadliest landslide on record, spurred government action, including the establishment of the Bunambutye Resettlement Camp in Bulambuli District.

The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Hilary Onek, reported progress in the ongoing relocation efforts.

“We have so far secured 2,661 acres of land here for resettlement. Families currently in Bunambutye Camp will soon be relocated. We have 50 billion shillings available to buy additional land,” he said.

President Museveni stressed that the relocation programme aims to prevent future tragedies rather than respond to them.

“We must get people out of danger before disasters strike again. Some parts of the mountains should not be inhabited they are dangerous for the people and the country,” he emphasized.

Turning to economic development, the President said Bulambuli will benefit from the ongoing national cattle restocking programme.
He noted that families in Lango, Teso, and Acholi sub-regions are receiving five cattle each, and fairness dictates that Bulambuli and Ngenge (Kween District) should also benefit.

“It would be unfair to leave out Bulambuli and Ngenge. The same support will be extended to them,” he said.

President Museveni used the event to outline the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto, which he said builds on the party’s achievements over the last four decades particularly in peace, development, and wealth creation.

“You people of Bulambuli are witnesses of peace,” he said. “Years ago, cattle rustlers terrorized this area. That is now history.”

He credited peace for enabling infrastructure growth, citing the Mbale Karamoja and Kapchorwa roads, both now tarmacked.
Museveni also said he proposed using stones from Karuma Power Station to improve Bulambuli’s roads, which suffer due to volcanic soils.

On education, the President pledged that all parishes without government primary schools and sub-counties without government secondary schools will be catered for.
Bulambuli currently has 54 government primary schools, 12 government secondary schools, and gaps in 69 parishes.

“The policy is clear one government primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county,” he said.

He also announced plans to upgrade and construct new health facilities, including proposed upgrades for Atari, Bugudoi, and Nabiwutulu health centres and new HCIIIs in Buyaga, Bufumbo, Bulegeni, Muyembe, and Bunalwere.

“We need a Health Centre IV per constituency and a Health Centre III per sub-county,” he noted.

President Museveni reminded residents that development and wealth are distinct but complementary.

“Development like roads and electricity  benefits everyone. Wealth is personal and family-based,” he said. “It is dangerous to emphasize development and forget wealth.”

He cited government programmes such as Entandikwa, Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM) as vehicles for household prosperity.

Bulambuli District has so far received Shs 37.7 billion under the PDM, with 99.8% disbursed to 38,846 households — covering 70.5% of the total 55,103 households.

“The remaining 29.5% will also be reached. The goal is for every household to join the money economy,” he said.

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among, urged residents to re-elect President Museveni, praising his leadership as inclusive and visionary.

“We have brought you a candidate who believes in politics of interest, not identity. He listens to everyone and solves their problems,” she said.

Among also promised to oversee verification of compensation lists for landslide victims to ensure fairness.

She highlighted the Acomai Irrigation Scheme, recently commissioned by the President, as evidence of government investment in the region, linking Bulambuli and Bukedea districts.

NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Mr. Echodu Calvin, and NRM District Chairperson, Mr. Kimamati Paul Michael, thanked the President for his commitment to the region.

Kimamati noted that Bulambuli has received approximately Shs 180 billion in government support over the past five years and called for upgrading of Muyembe HCIV to a hospital and establishment of Bugisu University in Mbale.

Bulambuli District has 26 sub-counties and town councils, 123 parishes, and 1,313 villages, with a population of 235,391 (2024 census).

In the 2021 presidential election, 52,560 out of 71,664 registered voters cast their ballots, with President Museveni securing 76.4% of the vote.

For the upcoming election, the district has 79,699 registered voters across 257 polling stations, an increase from 2021.

The rally was attended by cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and NRM flag bearers from across the Elgon region.