MPs Demand Clarity on Mount Elgon Land Resettlement and Rising Living Costs

Members of Parliament representing the Elgon sub-region have formally asked the government to clarify the terms surrounding the relocation of families living in landslide-prone areas. Lawmakers are seeking to know if residents who accept the Shs18 million resettlement package will completely forfeit ownership of the land they leave behind.

Raising the matter during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth, Bulambuli County MP Hon. Emmanuel Biara expressed deep concern over conflicting reports. These include directives allegedly issued by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to demolish houses following a Cabinet resolution, alongside reports that vacated land might be handed over to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Echoing similar sentiments, Hon. Gerald Nangoli, the Elgon North County MP, questioned the true nature of the Shs18 million disbursement. He asked whether the funds were meant strictly to help vulnerable families resettle in safer regions or if they constituted a blanket compensation for permanent land loss. In response, Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi requested additional time to thoroughly study the legal implications and determine the status of the contested land.

Beyond the Elgon relocation debate, the parliamentary sitting also addressed the skyrocketing cost of living. MPs highlighted steep hikes in essential food commodities and public transport fares, which have severely strained ordinary citizens. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Henry Musasizi attributed the inflationary pressures to recent drought conditions and ongoing fuel supply challenges, while defending the government’s stance against utilizing foreign currency reserves to stabilize the economy.

For more details on this parliamentary session, read the full report on the Parliament of Uganda.