Pay us or we won’t leave, Nile encroachers tell government

Aggrieved. Ms Madina Babirye on Tuesday points at her shrine which was razed during last weekend’s eviction in Kayunga District. PHOTO BY FRED MUZAALE

What you need to know:

  • Kayunga District chairperson Tom Sserwanga, who also owned land on River Nile banks, however, said all the affected residents were compensated.

Kayunga. A total of 50 residents living on River Nile banks, whose property have been razed down to conserve the area between Bujagali and Isimba dams, have refused to vacate until they are fully compensated.
The affected residents include Ms Madina Nabirye, who claimed to be the caretaker of a spirit called Nakakwaya. Ms Nabyire’s shrine at Kirindi Landing Site in Nazigo Sub-county was razed down.
“I was compensated Shs25m for the land, but I asked for Shs290m to relocate the shrine and spirit. Officials from Kagga and Partners and ministry of Energy promised to pay me so that I relocate but this money has not been paid to me,” she said.

The 60-year-old said the shrine was constructed 80 years ago and has been one of Buganda Kingdom’s fascinating tourism sites.
Ms Babirye claimed that if the spirit is not relocated, it will kill a number of people and affect Isimba dam construction works.
All household property in the shrine, including several pieces of bark cloth, mats and spears, were destroyed during the weekend eviction exercise. The exercise also saw several other shrines and crops destroyed in the area.

Other properties on the river banks that were razed are Hairy Lemon, an entertainment resort popular with foreigners.
Kagga and Partners Ltd was contracted by the ministry of Energy to value the properties before compensation.
An official from the company, who refused to be named, said Ms Babirye’s issue is being handled by the ministry of Energy, blaming the delayed compensation for her shrines on government’s bureaucratic process.
Mr Sunday Njuki, the chairperson Kayunga District Traditional Healers Association, advised government to pay off Ms Babirye so that the spirit is relocated.

Another affected resident, Ms Safina Birabwa, said she was not compensated for her crops that were cut down and is demanding Shs6m.
Kayunga District chairperson Tom Sserwanga, who also owned land on River Nile banks, however, said all the affected residents were compensated.
“We were all compensated but if the spirit has powers, let it raze down Isimba dam as its caretaker is claiming,” Mr Sserwanga said.
Under the plan, which is being implemented by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) with support from the World Bank, Mr Leo Twinomuhangi, the NFA coordinator for planning, said the degraded river banks between Bujagali and Isimba dams would be restored.

Mr Twinomuhangi also said the boundaries of the existing Kalagala falls, River Nile and Namavundu central forests will be extended.
He added that a 15km stretch from Bujagali hydro power dam towards Isimba dam on River Nile will be conserved because of its unique eco-system and bio-diversity, which he says will promote eco-tourism activities such as white water rafting.
“The main reason why we want to conserve this area is to mitigate the negative effects of the construction of Bujagali and Isimba hydro power projects and a number of human activities that are carried out in this area. These activities have greatly affected the eco-system in this area,” he explained.