By Peter Abaanabasazi
A bitter row involving Hoima District Local Government, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and the Church of Uganda has erupted over Shs7bn compensation to persons and institutions affected by the Kigumba–Masindi–Hoima–Kabwoya Road Project.
The road in question is one of the many oil roads being upgraded and tarmacked ahead of oil production anticipated in 2020.
Recently, Hoima district petitioned Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), protesting the compensation of over 35 properties to people whom they described as non-beneficiaries.
Consequently, a fortunate ago, UNRA officials from Kampala had a crisis meeting with the conflicting parties to forge away forward on how to handle the matter that has adversely affected the project.
Edmond Mugisha, the Kigumba-Kyenjojo Road Project Manager from UNRA says that they have failed to hand over to them the disputed land to the contractor because Hoima district has refused to endorse the compensation papers of the affected institutions.
He says the failure to handover the land to the contractor in time makes the process costly because they have to compensate the company for lost time. Apparently, the contractor has skipped the disputed areas.
Government contracted Stanfield Property Ltd, a consultancy firm to undertake the compensation of persons affected by the tarmacking of the 69km Bulima-Kabwoya road stretch which is part of the Kigumba–Masindi–Hoima–Kabwoya Road project.
Abdul Batambuze, the Hoima District Chief Administrative Officer explains that the compensation for over 35 affected properties which include schools, health facilities, Markets, sub-county, parks and county headquarters whose custodian is Hoima District Local Government was claimed by the Church of Uganda and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
He cited Kyakapeya Primary School, Mparangasi Health Centre III, Kyakapeya Health Centre III, Kikube Health Centre IV, Bulindi Parish Headquarter, Kyabatarya Headquarters, Kiziranfumbi Sub-County Headquarters, Munteme Parish Headquarters, Buhimba and Kibaire Health Centres as some of the properties being claimed by the Kingdom for compensation.
On the other hand, Bilindo C.O.U Primary School, Kakindo Secondary, Kibaire Muslim Primary School, Drucilla Memorial Primary School, Mpaija Primary School and Mparo Primary School are some of the properties claimed by the Church of Uganda for compensation.
Batambuze vowed not to allow government properties to be stealthily be taken by the parties in question. He also accused the consultant for being the source of trouble for he claims they (consultant) did not consult before recommending the compensation to non-beneficiaries.
Batambuze’s claims caused a lot of augments among kingdom officials, consultant and church leaders during the crisis meeting.
Moses Mubiru, the Managing Director at Stainfield Property Partners faulted the district for failing to declare its interests when strip maps and lists of properties and affected persons were released in 2015.
The Kingdom 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands Xavier Kiiza protested the local government claims, insisting that all land housing administrative units and some health centres belong to the kingdom and should be compensated henceforth.
They failed to strike a compromise and agreed to convene again on Tuesday (tomorrow) in the office of Bunyoro Kingdom prime minister to resolve the conflict and report back to UNRA within two weeks.
Most of the private individuals in the affected areas have already been compensated.
