MPs also want NEMA to undertake the demarcation of all wetlands in Uganda
Eng. Ronald Balimweezo (Nakawa East) has asked prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja to order the halting of the ongoing eviction exercise of residents in Lubigi in order to allow both Parliament and Executive come up with a resettlement plan for the affected residents.
Balimwezo, who doubles as Shadow Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), made the appeal during a press briefing at Parliament, where he warned that the failure for Government to address the security threat that comes with leaving people homeless would lead to lawlessness within Kampala and across the country.
He said, “That is the reason I have written to the Speaker, to recall Parliament so that we can thoroughly discuss this matter of security nature, so that we come up with a resolution. I have also written to the Prime Minister, requesting her to halt the exercise so that we plan to resettle for these Ugandans that are suffering. These are over 8million Ugandans that you can’t just evict without planning for them. It is the role of Government to plan for its people and as such, we need to stop these evictions.”
Balimwezo defended the proposal to resettle the affected residents, citing the eviction of Nakawa-Naguru tenants over 10years ago, to pave way for the development of the failed satellite city, saying the move back then saw a spike in crimes around the area, as many youths were left homeless and jobless, a scenario he says must be avoided in Lubigi.
“Aware that over 8million people reside in low lying areas, including wetlands. In Uganda, we lack over 2.4 million houses. So, when NEMA comes out to begin demolishing people’s houses it may cause a number of challenges including insecurity in the country. We are leaving people homeless and if, at such a stage we don’t come out to handle this with seriousness and care, we may find our country in ruin,” explained Balimwezo.
The Legislator also urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to undertake the demarcation of all wetlands in Uganda in order to end the anarchy and anxiety amongst Ugandans, who aren’t familiar with the demarcations of wetlands.
“It is clear that NEMA has just recently gazetted wetlands, about three months at all, NEMA has never at all demarcated its wetlands and you are aware that recently, water levels at Lake Victoria rose and even those that weren’t in wetlands, water spilled and took some big chunk of land. Therefore, we can’t allover a sudden evict our people making a survey and demarcating off wetlands, as it is supposed to be,” added Balimwezo.
