Kiryandongo District residents impacted by the Karuma Hydropower Project have requested that President Museveni intervene in their plight, seeking long-overdue compensation for the hardships they have endured.
The communities affected by the Karuma Dam project are disheartened due to the long-overdue compensation payments and have expressed that the anticipated benefits of development have instead resulted in significant challenges for locals.
Robert Kugonza, Executive Director of Friends of the Environment and Development, addressed the media on behalf of the residents on August 15, 2024, and outlined inadequate compensation for people and properties affected by the project, including land, housing, and agricultural crops.
“There are troubling discrepancies in the compensation process. Land survey maps often do not correspond with actual plots. In some cases, multiple plots share the same identification numbers, leading to confusion and unfair compensation practices,” Kugoza said.
He noted that some individuals have received payments, but many rightful owners remain uncompensated, which further exacerbates their suffering. The residents claimed that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is aware of these issues but has failed to take corrective action.
They specifically pointed to the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), which has not been implemented as promised.
“Vulnerable groups, including the sick, elderly, widows, child-headed families, and individuals with disabilities, were supposed to be prioritized for resettlement, all in vain,” Kugonza said.
According to Kugonza, 119 households slated for resettlement remained displaced for over a decade, six months prior to the dam’s construction.
“These families, forcibly evicted from their homes, now live in dire conditions, with many struggling to meet basic needs. Tragically, some have succumbed to the harsh realities of their situation, while others continue to endure untold suffering,” Kugonza added.
The residents liken their plight to that of refugees within their own country, feeling abandoned and overlooked.
He further implored President Museveni to take swift action to address their concerns and ensure they receive the compensation and support they desperately need.
Kugonza hopes that with presidential intervention, the injustices faced by the Karuma Dam-affected residents will finally be rectified.
