The Government of Uganda has officially launched the second phase of the Elgon landslide resettlement programme, aimed at relocating families living in high-risk areas within the Elgon sub-region.
Under the initiative, each verified household will receive Shs10 million in financial support along with two acres of land to facilitate permanent resettlement in safer locations.
The programme, valued at approximately Shs56 billion, targets the relocation of more than 10,000 households currently residing in landslide-prone zones.
Officials say the funds are intended to help beneficiaries construct durable and decent homes.
So far, 97 households from Bulugonya and Sisiye sub-counties in Sironko District, together with 24 households from Namisuna village in Bulambuli District, have already received the financial support.
This brings the total expenditure on shelter assistance to about Shs1.
21 billion.
The programme was officially unveiled in Giriki Sub-county in Kween District, where the government acquired 1,318 acres of land at a cost of Shs4 million per acre to support the resettlement process.
Speaking during the launch, Robinah Nabbanja urged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly by building permanent houses.
She expressed concern over earlier phases where some recipients misused the money and ended up constructing substandard grass-thatched structures.
Nabbanja emphasized that stricter conditions have now been introduced, noting that only households that surrender their original land to the Uganda Wildlife Authority will qualify for the allocation.
The move is intended to prevent beneficiaries from returning to dangerous areas.
“We do not want to repeat past mistakes where people received support and later went back to high-risk zones,” she said.
Lillian Aber, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, warned that government will closely monitor how the funds are utilized.
She cautioned beneficiaries against diverting the money to other needs such as school fees at the expense of building proper housing.
“Use the money as intended, Failure to construct houses will create problems with the government,” Aber emphasized.
Local leaders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as both a humanitarian intervention and an opportunity to improve livelihoods.
William Chemonges highlighted the importance of promoting unity among resettled communities, urging residents to embrace peaceful coexistence.
Beneficiaries have also been encouraged to take advantage of the ongoing rains to engage in agriculture and grow high-value crops on their allocated land to boost household incomes.
The second phase of the programme comes amid rising concerns over landslides in the Mount Elgon region, reinforcing government efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities through planned relocation and long-term support.
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