The government through the Attorney General sued the Project Affected Persons, accusing them of declining to receive the compensation fees allocated to them during the property evaluation process, which threatens the implementation of the pipeline project.
The PAPs contend that Ssali, who also serves as the local Project Liaisons Coordinator, did not meet their expectations as he allegedly misrepresented them to the project evaluation teams, resulting in unfair compensation entitlements.
In March 2022, the government initiated the process of repossessing the former Sango-bay sugar estates located in Kakuuto, Kabira, Kyebe, and Mutukula sub-counties of Kyotera district. The aim was to convert the land into Oil Palm tree plantations as part of the National Vegetable Oil Development program.
The affected facilities include; Kakuuto Health IV, Minziiro Health Centre II, Nazareth Primary School Kannabulemu and Gwanda Primary Schools in Kyebe Sub County, and Kibumba primary school in Kasensero town council among others.
Agnes Namusiitwa, the Kyotera LC V Vice Chairperson and Kakuuto Sub County LC V councilor, says that girls as young as thirteen years have fallen victim to the obsolete cultural practice of bridal kidnap, which is acceptable among some communities in Kyotera and Rakai districts.
Led by Vincent Birimuye, the petitioners are opposed to the 33,000 and 25,000 Shillings as the evaluated cost for coffee and banana plants respectively, arguing the rates are unfair compared to the evaluation reports in other districts.
The deceased has been identified as Robert Luyima, 35, a resident of Matale village, in Kalisizo town council. It is said that Luyima had been arrested for whipping his nephew who messed up a house that was left in order.
Kadaga also the Minister for East African Affairs told URN in Mutukula that it would be unfair to render the occupants homeless yet the majority have spent over 40 years on the land. Her remarks come at a time when the occupants have been given seven days to peacefully vacate the land or be forced out to pave way for the oil palm project.
According to Dr. Aloysious Musoke, the Medical Officer in charge of Kakuuto HCIV, they have a 15-bed capacity which is not enough for the increasing number of patients at the maternity ward. He explains that they usually make between 4 and 6 deliveries every day which averages between 120 and 180 deliveries every month.
Martin Tiffen, the General Manager- East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project- EACOP says they agreed to consider revised rates of 2020/2021 which Kyotera District leaders presented to the Chief Government Valuer for approval.
According to Teopista Mbabazi, the Kyotera Deputy Resident District Commissioner, they did not meet the deadline due to delays in the processing of the PAPs documents among other challenges.
Muhammad Nsubuga, the Southern Regional police spokesperson, says the suspects were arrested on Monday evening and are currently in custody at Kyotera police station. The suspects are Hussein Muhammad Buyondo, Majid Ssekabira, and Joseph Kakeeto.
According to Dr. Alloysious Musoke, in charge of Kakuuto HCIV, the Ministry Of Health sent two teams to work jointly with the World Health Organisation, Masaka regional referral hospital and Kakuuto Health team to identify the actual cause of the illness.
NUP party leadership strongly rejected calls by some of its members to seek out government, to negotiate for the release of their supporters who were kidnapped during last year’s election cycle and remained in cells some in unknown locations.
According to Dr. Janefrancis Zalwango, the Masaka Regional WHO epidemiologist, they initially thought it was Ebola, Marburg, Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and Rift Valley Fever (RVF).
But Ssenyondo’s joy was short-lived after learning that the baby had been stolen from Wakiso. The baby’s mother, Florence Nabukko recounts how Nanyonga disappeared with her baby.
Muwonge says that in addition to emotional stress, the victims are also suffering from strange health complications, which occasioned the gross mistreatment and torture they suffered during the period they stayed in confinement.
Abitex had organised the concert in Tanzanian territory, where there are no restrictions on crowds and movement as the case is, in Uganda. But border authorities issued tough conditions for Ugandans planning to cross to Tanzania for the concert requiring them to first take a COVID test within 72 hours before exiting the country.
The concerts include one organised by Abbey Musinguzi, the proprietor of Abitex Promotions and others by different promoters. The New Year concerts follow a massive Christmas concert that was organised by Abitex at Happiness Hotel in Mutukula –Tanzania, in which more than 20 Ugandan artists featured and attracted hundreds of Ugandans.
