UGANDA – In Buvuma, Uganda, over 200 residents have voiced their grievances against the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP), claiming their land was taken without compensation.
The uproar culminated in a protest at the Buvuma district headquarters on September 24, 2024, where community members sought government intervention to fulfill promises made years ago when the project was initiated.
The NOPP was introduced in 2015 and initially welcomed by the Buvuma community, enticed by assurances of jobs, improved infrastructure, and other benefits.
However, as time passed, many residents were deprived of their land and livelihoods. “We were promised numerous benefits with the project… but now we are left with nothing,” lamented one resident from the Nairambi sub-county.
Residents from Nairambi and Busamizi sub counties reported being coerced into surrendering their land for oil palm cultivation, under the impression that they would receive compensation.
Sylvia Adera, a local farmer, recounted her experience: “I was told to stop cultivating my two acres of land. They assessed it and promised payment, but nearly nine years later, nothing has happened.”
Frank Wazabwe, the local council chairperson for Kacanga Village, echoed this sentiment, highlighting a troubling rise in domestic violence and theft linked to economic despair in the community.
The situation has become increasingly dire as many families struggle to make ends meet without access to their land.
“We could use our land to grow coffee, bananas, and other food crops, but I halted farming after I was promised money for the land,” another resident expressed.
The lack of compensation has left many families in poverty, with some resorting to illegal fishing as a means of survival.
Ronald Senyonjo, chairperson of Busamizi subcounty, revealed that residents have submitted multiple petitions to the government regarding compensation but have received no positive response.
The community’s frustration is palpable as they demand action from authorities. Senyonjo warned that if compensation is not provided within a week, they will mobilize to protest at Kampala’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) headquarters.
Buvuma Member of Parliament Robert Migadde Ndugwa also raised concerns about the delayed payments.
He noted that despite parliament approving significant MAAIF funds, much remains unutilized. “It’s absolutely unfair for the Ministry of Agriculture to return unused money to consolidated funds while locals are demanding it,” he stated.
The plight of Buvuma residents highlights broader issues surrounding land acquisition and compensation in Uganda.
Many feel deceived by government promises that have yet to materialize. As one resident poignantly remarked, “We have pleaded with the government on numerous occasions… but people continue to suffer in anguish.”
The NOPP’s impact on the community is a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of development projects failing to address local needs and rights adequately.
As residents wait for justice and compensation, their determination to reclaim their land underscores a growing movement for accountability in Uganda’s agricultural sector.
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