By Peter Abaanabasazi
Hoima. Communities hosting refugees in Kikuube district, have a reason to smile after the Office of the Prime Minister injected over Shs2bn to improve on their wellbeing.
The Shs2.73bn in Kikuube district is part of 50 million dollars borrowed from the World Bank by Government of Uganda with an aim of providing access to basic social services, expand economic opportunities and enhance environment management in the eleven refugee host communities in the district.
While launching the project at Nyairongo primary school in Kabwoya sub-county, Kikuube district on Tuesday, Musa Ecweru, the Relief and Disaster Preparedness State Minister said that project will focus on construction and rehabilitation of health facilities, schools and roads and water.
He said that projects were initiated after realizing the refugees were benefiting from different projects, leaving out host communities languishing in poverty.
The projects implemented in Kyangwali, Buseruka and Kabwoya sub-counties include construction of Nyairongo, Nyakabingo, Kibaale parents, Mbegu and Kamwokya primary schools. Others are Tonya health center III, Kabwoya health center III and rehabilitation of 6.0km of Maya-Kentomi roadand 8.0km Kicanga -Kisaru road among other projects.
He added that the projects are community demand driven and they are going to solve the multiplicity challenges affecting refugee host communities.
However, Ecweru warned the host communities against victimizing the refuges because of the piracy on Lake Albert, adding that refugees are not part of these criminals. He promised that such attacks are going to end soon.
“I am going to discuss with my brother from defense and foreign affairs to ensure that those Congolese who are criminals in water should be given the kind of test that will make them repent of their sins,” he said.
The Deputy Inspector of Government, Mariam Wagandya cautioned the program implementers and the contractors against mismanaging project funds.
She noted that IGG is going to have a keen eye on the projects to ensure valve for money, adding that anybody who will play around with the funds will be prosecuted.
Dan Muhairwe, the Buhaguzi Member of Parliament demanded OPM to intervene and solve the continued land conflict between the host communities and the refugees in Bukinda parish, Kyangwali sub-county.
He said hundreds of evictees from 18 villages have been living in camps since 2013 after the Officer Prime Minister evicted them from their land accusing them of encroachment.
