Africa-Press – Uganda. Residents of Buvuma District say years of patience and trust in government have been severely tested as they continue to wait for compensation for land surrendered more than 14 years ago for oil palm cultivation, a delay leaders now describe as a profound failure of justice and accountability.
Buvuma residents say they handed over their land in good faith under a government-backed agricultural development programme that allocated the land to an investor linked to BIDCO Company, trusting assurances that they would be compensated.
However, residents say the promised compensation never materialised, leaving many families landless and economically strained.
“We gave our land willingly because we believed it was for development,” residents told leaders during recent engagements. “But we have waited for many years without land and without payment.”
The matter was recently brought to the attention of President Yoweri Museveni, who was briefed on the prolonged hardship faced by the affected communities.
Following the briefing, the President directed the State Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, and the Presidential Advisor on Corruption at State House, Rebecca Atwine, to travel to Buvuma District and engage directly with residents.
While addressing the affected communities, Minister Mayanja conveyed the President’s directive that the Ministry of Finance release Shs14 billion to compensate the residents before January 3, 2026.
He also said action would be taken against individuals found to have mishandled the funds.
“Every person who surrendered land for oil palm growing will be paid fairly,” Mayanja said. “No one will be left out.”
“The President has heard the cries of the people of Buvuma and arrangements have been made to ensure that all those who gave land are compensated,” he added.
Rebecca Atwine urged residents to remain calm and peaceful as government finalises the compensation process.
“This matter is being handled at the highest level,” Atwine said. “The aim is to restore trust and justice to the people.”
District leaders, including LC5 Chairperson Waswa Dungu and Buvuma Woman Member of Parliament Robert Migadde, said the prolonged delay had inflicted deep social and economic damage on local communities.
“Our people have suffered for many years without land or compensation,” Dungu said. “This delay has affected families and livelihoods.”
“This is a moment of truth for our people,” Migadde said. “They have waited patiently, hoping for fairness.”
Buvuma District, which was created in 2010 after being carved out of Mukono District, is made up of 52 islands and nine sub-counties.
Located in Lake Victoria, the district’s economy largely depends on fishing, although its fertile land is well suited for agriculture.
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