Kabarole residents storm High Court over compensation
Anger. The Rev Christopher Babiiha (right), addresses claimants who stormed the High Court in Fort Portal with on Friday. PHOTO BY EPHRAIM KASOZI
What you need to know:
- More than 600 people whose land was taken over by the government through the Uganda National Roads Authority to pave way for the construction of the road sued for compensation for land and crops.
Fort portal. There was anger as people who were affected by the 2011 construction of the 103km Fort Portal–Bundibugyo, Lamia Road, stormed the High Court in Fort Portal seeking justice.
More than 600 people whose land was taken over by the government through the Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) to pave way for the construction of the road sued for compensation for land and crops.
The group of residents from more than 30 villages on the road that connects to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at Lamia border led by the Rev Christopher Babiiha are accusing Unra officials and the consultant, UGASURV Surveying and Mapping Limited, of connivance to cheat them through under-valuation, non-payment and selective compensation.
Some claim they were inadequately assessed with rates for land and crops ranging from Shs60,000 to Shs300,000.
Court documents indicate that some of the people who initially sued were paid but Unra illegally made deductions without explanation.
Through their lawyers of Aguma Kifunga and Company Advocates, the group is seeking court declaration that the action of Unra in taking over their land without using a clear valuation process, an all-inclusive prompt and adequate compensation for their property is illegal.
“That in the same vein, during the survey and valuation exercise herein, the plaintiffs and all other claimants’ property including houses and valuable crops were either destroyed or identified to be part of the road reserve but no compensation or prospective compensation was considered for their benefit by the survey firm,” reads the complaint.
Compensation
They are seeking an order of payment of Shs1b as compensation for damages and legal costs incurred.
However, Unra denies any wrongdoing, saying they would seek to raise a preliminary objection against the incompetence of the case at the commencement of the hearing.
“The assessed compensation sums for the affected properties were approved by the Chief Government Valuer and disclosed to the affected persons. Upon their acceptance, the defendant (Unra) subsequently paid the respective compensation to project affected persons, including those identified in the complaint,” states Unra.
The court before Justice Wilson Masalu Musene has set February 13, 2019, for hearing of the case.
The affected
More than 600 people whose land was taken over by the government through the Uganda National Roads Authority to pave way for the construction of the road sued for compensation for land and crops.
