Prime
Anger over pay as UNRA probe tours Bundibugyo
Residents of Bundibugyo led by Rev Christopher Babiiha (C ) show commissioner Ben Okello Luwum (L) part of their land which they said was expropriated by UNRA but they were not compensated. More than 400 people are claiming over Shs3 billion in compensation. Photo By EPHRAIM KASOZI
BUNDIBUGYO- Residents affected by the newly-constructed Fort Portal-Bundibugyo road have demanded compensation for their property lost during the works about three years ago.
The residents of Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts stopped the commission of inquiry team investigating the alleged mismanagement of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) affairs and presented assessment forms and payment vouchers dated between 2011 to 2014.
A group of residents of more than 30 villages on the 103km road that connects Uganda to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at Lamia border, led by Rev Christopher Babiiha, accused UNRA officials and the consultant, UGASURV Surveying and Mapping Limited, of connivance to cheat them through under valuation, non-payment, exclusion from the payment schedule and selective payment.
Their documents indicate property and acres of land valued from Shs5,000 to Shs1.2 million while others claimed they were excluded from the payment schedule and instead ghost beneficiaries were included.
“Some of the property was assessed. Some claimants were given payment vouchers but no money was advanced to their respective bank accounts. We were never availed assessment and valuation reports and our land was valued without our consent,” said Rev Babiiha.
He complained that UNRA was frustrating their efforts to resolve the case, saying officials of the roads agency did not attend mediation sessions.
Former Bundibugyo District Woman MP Jane Alisemera said some of those affected had been compelled to stay at her home due to failure by UNRA to compensate them.
“We have asked why UNRA paid some people and left others in suspense. People’s cocoa and houses were destroyed and most of the women are widows, their children have failed to go to school because their source of survival was affected and others have turned the matter political,” said Ms Alisemera. She called for immediate compensation of those affected.
The complaints prompted the commissioners led by Mr Ben Okello Luwum to task UNRA officials led by land acquisition specialist, Ms Pamela Ayebare, to explain payment made to a company, ATACO for title held on public land, selective compensation, bribery and extortion and under valuation.
“We have observed several problems related to values for property and land, selective compensation and delayed payments which caused anger,” said Mr Okello.
The commissioners were on a fact finding mission on the methodologies applied by UNRA on land acquisition and compensation as well as deficiencies to enable them to make adequate recommendations.
The move followed a petition by more than 400 people demanding more than Shs3 billion in compensation.
Ms Mary Kuteesa, the deputy lead counsel to the commission, said: “Somebody needs to explain why and what went wrong with their payments.”
UNRA land specialist Ayebare explained that some people were not paid due to pending disputes while others were injuriously affected.
She said UNRA paid up to 97 per cent out of the Shs14.3 billion which had been earmarked for compensation.
“All the complaints will be heard and handled and even if the road construction was completed long ago, payments will still be made. But the complaints against low valuation are simply based on rates assessed six years ago,” said Ms Ayebare, adding that exclusion of some people was due to omission.
The commissioners heard that the Solicitor General declined to approve a supplementary contract for UGASUVR after their original contract expired.
But Ms Ayebare insisted that UNRA management had resolved to go for direct bidding for the same company to speed up the process.
President Museveni commissioned the road last year.
